This is one of those occasions where just being nominated is a great honor. We’re discussing the Broward County Public Schools Caliber Awards. Five contenders have been nominated for teacher of the year, and we visited their classrooms on Thursday. After 24 years of teaching children, Dr. Jennifer Mehu still finds joy and inspiration in her Park Lakes Elementary classroom.
“It’s not for the income but it’s definitely for the outcome,” Mehu told the audience. “You know they come in and they’re kind of like a blank slate, but when they leave you, they’re full of knowledge so it’s great to see the tangible work pay off at the end.” I inquired whether he had a secret sauce for being a successful teacher. “Know your kids, love your students,” Feiler advised. “Knowing that you made a difference in their lives and seeing you know, they write you these beautiful long notes, so that’s really where I find my motivation and love for the job.”
Richard Lamarre attended medical school but discovered his interest teaching chemistry at Miramar High School. “It’s really rewarding to see them make that connection and the a-ha moment where you see their face light up and you had a part of that,” Lamarre told me. “The connection with the students really is empowering.” Lillie de Castro wears many hats at McFatter Technical High School, and she’s the one students turn to for counsel and direction.
“The students ask questions, they want help, and to be trusted with those opportunities, to help people take a direction in life or share a problem, is just the thing that gets me going,” de Castro pointed out. Deanna Waters has been a literacy coach and English teacher at Sawgrass Springs Middle School for 31 years, and she still enjoys the challenge of getting her kids’ minds to light up. “And I’m getting goosebumps right now talking about it because it really is an amazing thing, it’s what kind of keeps that fire and makes me want to keep doing it every single day,” says Waters. “What can we read today, what can I share with them today, what can I do to help spark that, not just love of learning but love of books and make then want to continue to read.” Each finalist stated that developing relationships with their students is critical to classroom success. They are already winners because they will be remembered by future generations. The teacher of the year will be announced on February 7.
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