CRISTINE O’HARA NAMED M-DCPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

MIAMI – Language arts teacher Cristine O’Hara of Palmetto Middle School had the great distinction of being named the 2011 Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year.

The recognition ceremony was held at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa.  Five finalists vied for the coveted title, which included one nominee from each of the District’s five regions.

O’Hara, a language arts chair, uses her computer-graphic skills to help her students bring their studies to virtual life.  Whether interpreting Greek myths through videos they produce or classic novels using T-shirts they design, her students come to understand the age-old truths of language and literature by expressing them in different ways.

O’Hara’s classroom environment is rigorous as well as engaging. To achieve further success, she created a website to communicate with both students and parents.

The Teacher of the Year program is a joint venture between United Teachers of Dade, Miami-Dade County Council of PTAs/PTSAs and Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The event is underwritten by Cigna Healthcare of Florida and co-sponsored by Univision 23/Telefutura 69, Nova Southeastern University, American Airlines, Inc., Print Farm, ING Finances, Fox Mar Photography and Toyota of South Florida.

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