FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 16, 2015

CONTACT: Daisy Gonzalez-Diego
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
305-995-2060

FIVE FINALISTS VIE FOR MIAMI-DADE'S 2016 FRANCISCO R. WALKER
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Miami-Dade County Public Schools will host the 2016 Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year dinner to name the most outstanding teacher throughout the District on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Miami Airport & Convention Center. The 2015 Rookie Teacher of the Year also will be chosen. The event will be held at 711 N.W.
72nd Avenue.

The five teacher of the year finalists, the areas they represent and their schools are listed as follows:

  • North – Christine Rodriguez, Hialeah Gardens Senior High
  • Central – Lisa Hauser, iPreparatory Academy
  • South – Geoffrey Aladro, Frank C. Martin K-8 Center
  • ETO – Tawana Akins, Holmes Elementary
  • Alternative/Vocational – Charlemagne Olius, Adult/Vocational/Alternative Education

The signature sponsors are Delta Dental Insurance, United Way of Miami-Dade, Kendall Toyota and the South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union. The supporting sponsors are Univision 23 and UniMas 69, Fox-Mar Photography, and the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education at Nova Southeastern University, in partnership with United Teachers of Dade (UTD), Miami-Dade County Council of PTAs/PTSAs and the Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA). Kendall Toyota will present the winner with the keys to a new car.

The District and United Teachers of Dade also will recognize the 2015 Rookie Teacher of the Year finalists, and announce the winner at the event.  The finalists are listed as follows:

  • North – Stacey Lynn Rodriguez, Lawton Chiles Middle
  • South – Desiree Amber Chase, MAST @ Homestead
  • Central – Elizabeth Rulan, Miami Springs Senior High
  • Alternative/Vocational – Rebekah Erdvig, Adult/Vocational/Alternative Education

For further information contact the Office of Community Engagement at 305-995-3050. 

Press Availability: If you would like to interview the finalists prior to the event, please contact the Office of Public Relations at 305-995-2060.

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15-DGD/176/DF

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