M-DCPS, Miami Dolphins Celebrate Values Matter Miami 2020 Awards Winners

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), in collaboration with the Miami Dolphins, proudly celebrated the recipients of the fourth annual Values Matter Miami 2020 Awards with a two-day virtual recognition that announced winners on Twitter on May 21 and May 22, 2020.

The Values Matter Miami awards are an opportunity to celebrate the values-based education that M-DCPS provides for students. Over the last five years, this initiative has made tremendous progress as evidenced by improved school culture and student behavior. The ceremony is the culmination of this year’s effort to teach, reinforce and celebrate behaviors that align with the District’s nine core values.

Throughout the 2019-2020 school year, M-DCPS’ Division of Student Services partnered with the Miami Dolphins to feature players, alumni, cheerleaders, and staff members in monthly PSAs, highlighting each value associated with the program. For this year’s awards ceremony, Miami Dolphins players Eric Rowe and Preston Williams, alumni John Offerdahl and Shawn Wooden, cheerleaders Shayla and Yelina, personnel and M-DCPS District staff created video announcements of the winning students, staff, and schools. Each winning school also has a Values Matter Miami banner placed on campus. This year’s award winners were chosen from a pool of more than 4,500 nominations.

“The Miami Dolphins are proud to work in partnership with M-DCPS and celebrate the students, educators and schools that have been positive role models in their communities,” said Miami Dolphins Vice Chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel. “The core values emphasized by Values Matter Miami are imperative to a healthy educational environment and directly align with our efforts to inspire an educated South Florida.”

Listed below for each Core Value are two winning students, a staff member and a school winner:

CITIZENSHIP
Marco Mejia, 5th grade, Biscayne Beach Elementary

Abigail Rodriguez, 6th grade, Hammocks Middle

David Osborne, Reading Coach, Ben Sheppard Elementary

School - International Studies Preparatory Academy                                      

COOPERATION
Madison Garcia, Kindergarten, Coral Reef Elementary

Leo Occelien, 7th grade, Jan Mann Educational Center

Isabel Andres, Paraprofessional, Redondo Elementary

School - Miami Southridge Senior High

FAIRNESS
Fabian Perez-Crespo, 5th grade, Miami Springs Elementary

Isaiah Brown, 6th grade, Norland Middle

Lisa Nesenman, Counselor, Brucie Ball Educational Center

School - M.A. Milam K-8 Center

HONESTY
Daniel Calderon, 2nd grade, Palm Springs North Elementary

Tobias Castro, 6th grade, Dr. Rolando Espinosa K-8 Center

Ola Porter, Teacher, Flamingo Elementary

School - Homestead Middle

INTEGRITY
Martin Cruz, 2nd grade, Oliver Hoover Elementary;

Kevin Fernandez, 12th grade, South Miami Senior High

Maria Rodriguez, Geometry Teacher, John I. Smith K-8 Center

School - Kensington Park Elementary

KINDNESS
Vaniah Dixon, Pre-Kindergarten, Frederick Douglass Elementary

Dante Stone, 6th grade, Jane S. Roberts K-8 Center

Andrea Spivak, Teacher, Miami Palmetto Senior High

School - Kendale Lakes Elementary

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
James Serrantes, 3rd grade, Emerson Elementary

Nikola Desnica, 11th grade, MAST@ FIU Biscayne Bay Campus

Rolney Duverney, Music Teacher, North Miami Elementary

School - Southside Preparatory Academy

RESPECT
Christina Chery, 4th grade, Hibiscus Elementary

Julia Ortega, 6th grade, Downtown Doral Charter School

Ricardo Sanchez, Custodian, Flagami Elementary

School - Miami Shores Elementary

RESPONSIBILITY
Stella Williams, 5th grade, Sunset Elementary

Carlie St. Fluer, 10th grade, North Miami Beach Senior High

Nowkeya Grant, FLVS Paraprofessional, C.O.P.E. Center North

School - Lake Stevens Middle

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