School district announces finalists for annual awards

Manatee County School District officials surprised eight district employees this week in Publishers Clearing House-style to announce they were a finalist for educator or support employee of the year.

The eight finalists — four teachers and four support staffers — were culled from a list of 199 employees nominated by co-workers, parents and students. Superintendent Diana Greene, board Chairman Charlie Kennedy, board member Gina Messenger, representatives of the Manatee Education Foundation, members of the District Leadership Team and mascot Marty of the Bradenton Marauders surprised the eight nominees on Monday and Tuesday morning to announce the news.

“The finalists that are being announced today are great examples of the kind of caring and committed employees we have in this school district,” Greene said.

Educator of the Year nominees are Joseph Baker, sixth-grade social studies teacher at Buffalo Creek Middle; Josephine Johnson, kindergarten teacher at Tara Elementary; Nicholas Leduc, fourth-grade teacher at Braden River Elementary; and Courtney Walker, second-grade teacher at Bashaw Elementary.

Support Employee of the Year nominees are Alfonzo Cruz, teacher aide, ESOL at Lee Middle; Michael Brackman, teacher aide, ESOL at Johnson Middle; Valerie Olmstead-Dugan, computer information specialist for food and nutrition services; and Jennifer Polson, senior school secretary at Wakeland Elementary.

The winners will be announced in March at the district’s Excellence in Education awards ceremony.

This story was originally published December 7, 2016 at 2:21 PM with the headline "School district announces finalists for annual awards."