Live Stream of Award Ceremony and Announcement Available via Internet
WHO: Hundreds of Florida teachers and school administrators as well as Florida Department of Education leadership will gather to learn which of the five finalists chosen from 194,519 public school teachers throughout the state will be named the 2017 Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year.
Deborah Norville, Emmy Award-winning journalist and anchor of Inside Edition, will serve as master of ceremonies. A sealed envelope will be opened to reveal the name of this year’s top educator in Florida.
The five teacher finalists are:
- 9th through 12th grade Creative Writing teacher Precious Symonette from Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami-Dade County
- Math and Science coach Amy Miller from Kissimmee Elementary School in Osceola County
- Electricity teacher Donald Blake from Marchman Technical College in Pasco County
- 3rd grade Math teacher Jessica Solano from Highlands Gove Elementary School in Polk County
- Music and band teacher for 6th through 8th grade Laurie Zentz from Switzerland Point Middle School in St Johns County
WHAT: The 2017 Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year winner will be announced at the gala event. The Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year is chosen from more than 190,000 public school teachers throughout the state by a Department of Education-appointed selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community. The top educator is selected on the basis of superior ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service. The most important qualification is the teacher’s exceptional capacity to inspire love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.
The teacher named the 2017 Teacher of the Year will receive a $20,000 award funded by The Department of Education and Macy’s. Additionally, the Teacher of the Year will receive awards from Macy’s including an all-expense paid trip for four to New York City to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The winner will also serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, touring the state to spread the word about educational opportunities and challenges in the Sunshine State. To date,
In May during Teacher Appreciation week, the five finalists were presented with a $15,000 check from Macy’s and the Florida Department of Education, a $500 Macy’s gift card as well as a $1,000 check, funded by Macy’s, was presented to the finalist’s school. Macy’s will contribute more than $100,000 in cash to the state-run Teacher of the Year program, as it has done since 1988. To date, Macy’s has contributed almost $3 million to public school teachers throughout the state.
This year, Governor Rick Scott secured additional state funds for teachers in the Teacher of the Year program to significantly increase these awards for Florida educators.
During the gala event, the remaining nominees from around the state will be recognized for their achievements and excellence in teaching. Each of the nominees will be presented with a $10,000 personal cash award from the Department of Education and Macy’s.
Following the conclusion of the school year, the winning teacher is given a one-year leave from the classroom to serve as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. He or she tours the state on behalf of Macy’s, the Department of Education and all the state’s teachers to spread the word about educational opportunities and challenges in the Sunshine State — present and future.
WHEN: Thursday, July 14, 2016, 6:30 PM (EST)
WHERE: Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios Orlando, 6050 Universal Boulevard, Orlando FL 32819
Live Stream begins July 14th at 6:25PM EDT through the completion of the Awards Ceremony approximately 8:30 – 9PM.
6:25PM Live stream opens
6:30PM Awards ceremony begins
8PM (Approximately) Winning teacher announced
9PM (Approximately) Post event release and link to edited video and photos sent to media outlets
