Finalists Named For Osceola School District's Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year

The field of nominees for Osceola School District's Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year has been narrowed down to the top ten finalists in both categories, all of whom received a surprise visit from Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace announcing the news.

The following educators have been named as the top ten finalists for Teacher of the Year:

Jackelyn Adkins - Tohopekaliga High - 2D Studio Art Instructor

Elizabeth Bullock - Partin Settlement Elementary - 3rd Grade Teacher

Kayra Burdette - Mill Creek Elementary - 4th Grade Teacher

Jacqueline Hinds - Horizon Middle - Literacy Coach

Milagros Mercado - Canoe Creek K-8 - 2nd Grade Teacher

Tiffany Perry - East Lake Elementary -5th Grade Teacher

Jeremiah Swartz - Gateway High - Math Coach

Geoffrey VonRentzell - NeoCity Academy - Digital Multimedia Teacher

Elizabeth Weretka - Westside K-8 - 4th Grade Teacher

Laura Winstanley - St. Cloud Middle – Varying Exceptionality Teacher

The following employees have been named as the top ten finalists for School-Related Employee of the Year:

Claudia Guzman – Special Programs – Family Resource Specialist 

David Maxwell - Chestnut Elementary School for Science and Engineering – Paraprofessional  

Nicholas Montalbano – School Operations – Foreman 

Bianca Morales – Business and Finance – Payroll Business Analyst 

Kelly Mott – Narcoossee Middle – Executive Secretary 

Janae Muchmore – Community Relations – Social Media & Digital Storyteller 

Melvin Rivera – Harmony Middle – IT Tech 

Tanya Snellings – Educational Choices and Innovation – Charter Schools Compliance Specialist

LaShanna Ward – St. Cloud Middle – Dean’s Secretary 

Francis “Dale” Wheeler – Student Services – Judicial Liaison

Judges selected the finalists based on their applications.  The name of the district's Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year will be announced at the district's annual Education Awards ceremony to be held on March 9, 2023, at Osceola Heritage Park.