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MYRNA L. BETANCOURT NAMED M-DCPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR, Myrna L. Betancourt, an adult/vocational teacher-chef at South Dade Educational Center, was named the 2015 Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year in a ceremony at the Trump National Doral Hotel last night. Five finalists vied for the coveted title this year, which included one nominee from each of the District’s three regions, one from the Education Transformation Office and one from Alternative Education. Betancourt, who spent two decades as a social worker in Chicago, has been leading one of Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ most successful vocational programs for the past six years. She has turned her school’s kitchen into a transformative classroom where young adult students, many of them homeless and jobless, rebuild their lives. She created “Café Du Jour” to give students hands-on training in world-class culinary arts and hospitality. Her students are engaged in many local competitions and catering events to develop their real-world skills and provide them with opportunities to network with potential employers. The runner up was Nichole Anne Dino from Miami Carol City Senior High. Also recognized were top rookie teachers. Angelica Fulchini, a teacher at Frederick Douglass Elementary School, was named Rookie Teacher of the Year. Victoria R. Jarrett, a teacher at W. R. Thomas Middle School was the Rookie Teacher of the Year runner up. EDITOR’S NOTE: Photo attached.
Left-right - the 2015 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year Myrna L. Betancourt, Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, and the 2014 Rookie Teacher of the Year Angelica Fulchini. # # # 14-JS/021/HD |
