-
Teacher of the Year
Tammy Freeman
Monarch High SchoolTammy Freeman’s teaching repertoire is based on the proverb, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Instead of giving her students the answers and having them depend on her to provide the answers each time, she empowers them by teaching them the process, which will help them become better thinkers and learners throughout their lifetimes. When educating her students, Freeman ensures every student walks out of the classroom understanding that no matter their past, through education they can accomplish anything in life. “The biggest learning moment for me with my students has been the realization that sometimes I believe in them more than they believe in themselves,” says Freeman. “I work to empower them by not only instilling skills that will help them become successful in life, but helping them see just how important their voice truly is.”
Principal of the Year
Michelle Kefford
Flanagan High School“When educating the next generation, it is critical that we provide exciting and relevant learning experiences for all students,” says Michelle Kefford, who is in her seventh year as principal of Charles W. Flanagan High School. Quality education is a family tradition for Kefford, who says its value “was instilled in me from a very young age,” and is herself the daughter of two teachers. She has firsthand knowledge of what Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) students need to achieve success. She is also a BCPS graduate, and has been a BCPS educator for 19 years. Kefford emphasizes the importance of students having ownership of their learning, and BCPS gives them the resources and technological tools they need, with a strong support structure. She recalls her mother urging her to teach, and says, “I am grateful every day that I took her advice.”
Assistant Pricipal of the Year
Winfred Porter, Jr.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High SchoolFor the last five years, Winfred Porter, Jr. has served as the assistant principal at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. For more than a decade, Porter has leveraged student ingenuity and curiosity by placing them in real-world situations. “It is up to educators to find new ways to prompt students to soak up information and apply it in unique and creative ways that impact the world,” he says. One of Porter’s strengths is his ability to build positive relationships with his students. “Building relationships with students is like opening a checking account,” says Porter. “When it comes time to make a withdrawal you must have something in the bank. As an administrator, there are so many opportunities to make withdrawals (disciplinary or corrective interactions with students), but I have made it a priority to make as many deposits (encouraging words and other positive interactions) as possible, to ensure a productive understanding is developed.” “At the end of the day,” says the father of a young entrepreneur, “students have respected me for being consistent with them.”
School-Related/ District Employee of the Year
Frinette Volquez
Hallandale High School“I believe that every student has the potential to become something special in this world,” says Frinette Volquez. A 13-year veteran of BCPS, Volquez began her career as a cafeteria aide in the District and is now a Confidential/Office Manager at Hallandale High School. She believes that education empowers students to “unlock their potential and do great things ... By providing them with a safe and stimulating environment where they are free to express their feelings, ideas and opinions without judgment.”
-
Presented by:
-
Platinum
-
Silver
-
Bronze
-
Special Thanks
