ALEXANDRE LOPES NAMED M-DCPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Alexandre Lopes, a prekindergarten teacher of students with autism at Carol City Elementary School, was named the 2013 Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year, last Friday at a luncheon ceremony at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. 

Vying for the coveted title this year were six finalists, including a nominee from each of the District’s four regions, one from the Education Transformation Office and one from Adult/Alternative Education.

Lopes’ philosophy is it takes the senses to make learning make sense.  That’s just one of the many secrets to success, but it’s no secret his Carol City Elementary prekindergarten students, many of them with autism, are more successful for it.

Whether playing musical instruments or taking steps in time with words they utter, his students learn by doing, and they love doing it.  Lopes’ classroom has been described as “a peaceful, joyful, and enticing one,” where he often sits on the floor and sings with, smiles at, and engages his rapt students.
Mia M. Lafrance, a counselor and kindergarten teacher at Dr. Henry W. Mack/West Little River K-8 Center, was chosen as the runner-up.  For Lafrance, kindergarten is a magical journey for tickling children’s curiosity, stirring their imagination, and creating rituals, celebrations, and traditions that honor childhood while laying the ground for adulthood.

Also recognized were top rookie teachers. Sherif Watson, a fifth-grade language arts teacher at Santa Clara Elementary, was named Rookie Teacher of the Year. The Rookie runner-up was Annette Konoske-Graf, a Teach for America member at Miami Edison Senior High.

The Teacher of the Year ceremony was hosted by Miami-Dade County Public Schools in partnership with the United Teachers of Dade and the Miami-Dade County Council of PTAs/PTSAs. The presenting sponsor was the South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union. Co-sponsors were Univision 23/Telefutura 69, Nova Southeastern University Fischler School of Education, Pearson, United Way of Miami-Dade, FoxMar Photography, and Kendall Toyota.

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