Three finalists chosen for Teacher of the Year
Two out of the three 2018 Teacher of the Year finalists are from Cape Coral schools, proving they are among the top professionals in their field.
The finalists are Jeffrey Becker from Island Coast High School, Suzanne Tocci from Caloosa Middle School and Debora Felice from Cypress Lake Middle School.
Becker, a digital medial technology teacher, transformed the traditional morning news report at Island Coast High School.
“I wanted students to learn the true vision; video communication, when well done, can change lives,” he said in a prepared statement. “I want my students to learn video skills not just to produce videos, but to reach people and change lives through video.”
During Becker’s first year at Island Coast High School, his students won Best High School News Show at the Lee County Film Festival Awards.
“Mr. Becker believes in every student’s potential to make a difference in the world,” Island Coast Assistant Principal Leigh Ann Caine said in a prepared statement. “He proudly declares himself an educator who nurtures student-teacher relationships to help students paint the best picture of themselves.”
Tocci moved to Caloosa Middle School to lead the Lifeskills Class, which was renamed to Pride Academy.
“Compassion and empathy are two qualities, which are not necessarily built into the general curriculum of standards-based learning, but in my classroom, they are always recognized and highlighted as core values,” Tocci said in a prepared statement. “We are more alike than different.”
She is also a faculty advisor for Best Buddies, an international program dedicated to ending social, physical and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tocci was instrumental in helping launch 20 chapters across Southwest Florida.
In addition, she has taken an active role in the Leader in Me program, as well as helped in developing the Lighthouse Team, which gives students a voice in making their school better.
“The relationship Ms. Tocci builds in her classroom and the entire school community makes our school culture soar,” Principal Dr. Ann Cole said in a prepared statement. “Students know that she loves her job, loves and accepts all students, and that she will always help them achieve their potential.”
Felice, a reading teacher at Cypress Lake Middle School, focuses on students reading at the lower levels.
“Her not so secret weapon is the relationships she builds with her students,” Assistant Principal Andrew Miller said in a prepared statement. “She is a teacher that really listens to her students, loves them, cares for them, and builds up their confidence to reach higher.”
The love of reading is formed through a variety of teaching methods, such as forming a Learning Community.
“Students do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care,” Felice said in a prepared statement. “I show my caring by forming relationships with my students and work to help them find their strengths, so they can believe in themselves the way I believe in them.”
The process for Teacher of the Year began on Oct. 24 when nominating packets were sent to principals, Media Relations and Public Information Assistant Director Rob Spicker said. The nominations, he explained, are made by the principals or assistant principals of the schools in Lee County.
“Typically about half of the schools nominate someone. This year it was less than that,” Spicker said.
The nominations were due on Nov. 9, beginning the next portion of the process.
“Preliminary screenings, and the first round of interviews are done by a diverse panel that includes the previous year’s winner, representatives from Academic Services, School Development, Human Resources, TALC and others,” he said.
The selection criteria includes such things as having a track record of exceptional gains in student learning; utilizing original, or innovative instructional materials, methods, curriculum or creative resources to provide interdisciplinary instruction; creating a climate of caring and respect inside and outside of the classroom and engaging parents and families in the learning process.
“They were here last week for their interviews and pictures,” Spicker said Monday afternoon.
The finalist are then sent through a second interview with some of the district’s top administrators, who then make the final choice.
The finalist will be surprised Tuesday, Dec. 18, during a special ceremony.
“The winner then fills out the application for Florida Teacher of the Year, due in February,” Spicker said.