“And I really enjoy it, enjoy being able to bring the school and its students and staff the feeling of being safe. “I worked a lot of hard, manual-labor jobs, and I realized I wasn’t getting younger, and I wanted a change of pace,” he said. When he returned stateside, some of his assignments including running hurricane shelters during evacuations - including being assigned to the Florida Panhandle after Hurricane Michael in 2018, his first week working at St. He’s spent four years working for the district, after 12 years in the Florida National Guard and deployed to Africa and Iraq. Workman, 32, is also a nearly-life-long county resident and Harmony High grad (“Dr. Cloud High safety monitor’s work “never ending” “She expertly communicates high expectations for all, and creates a learning environment where students are cared for, welcomed, and encouraged.” Kuwik’s experience and accomplishments continue to motivate both students and staff towards higher achievement.,” Pace said. Through the District, Pace called Kuwik “a model teacher and instructional leader. “My co-workers work very well together, that camaraderie alone makes me feel supported, loved and cared for every day I come in.” She said she was welcomed as an intern at St. Few careers can give you that gratification.” I did have a challenging class my first year, but I built such deep relationships with them that when those kids moved on they continued to come visit my room to give them a place to be when their lives were a little more chaotic, and see those faces around town, it shows how fulfilling this job can be and the lives you touch. I know it sounds cliché, but building relationships with them is what keeps me going. So what keeps Kuwik coming back each day, each school year? “That’s why I know it was hard for the kids during the pandemic, taking that constant away for a while.” We moved a lot, but school and my teachers were always a constant for me,” she said. “It had to do with having so many amazing teachers in my life that I wanted to be just like. She said she knew she wanted to teach from a young age, pretending to teach to her stuffed animals with old books schools let her keep. “I decided this is where I wanted to be, because I wanted to make a difference where I live,” said Kuwik, who has taught first grade all six years of her career at St.

She is a Harmony High grad and also went to Reedy Creek Elementary, Valencia College and UCF for her teaching degree, and came right back home to intern here. Kuwik, 28, was once a student like those she teaches. Teacher of the Year’s first pupils? Stuffed animals Debra Pace said at Thursday’s gala event. “The School Board members and I know very well that we will only reach our ambitious goals of preparing every student for college, career and community success through the best work of our employees,” School District Superintendent Dr. Three finalists will named later this spring. They are now in the running for the Florida Department of Education’s 2023 Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the year judging. “As I was watching their videos I’m like, ‘These are great employees, and I drive around on a golf cart.’” “There were a lot of great candidates - one is retiring,” he said. Workman said it was an honor he wasn’t expecting. I looked at my principal and she yelled.” “I didn’t feel like it was going to be me - 10 percent chance, right? - so I was in shock. In an interview later in the night, she said it “still doesn’t feel real.” “I don’t feel like I deserve this award, but I will wholeheartedly uphold this honor,” she told the gathering of hundreds from the podium. Kuwik said she was caught completely off guard. Each of the other finalists receive a $100 gift card, a crystal apple and a new tablet. Kuwik received a crystal trophy and Workman a ring as mementos. They receive a $500 gift card, a new cell phone and an assortment of local theme park tickets, and their likenesses will adorn an entrance at the School District administration offices. Cloud High School’s security monitor, was named the School-Related Employee of the Year. Cloud Elementary School, was named Teacher of the Year out of a list of nominees from each county public school and a group of 10 finalists.Ĭody Workman, St.

Taylor Kuwik, a first-grade teacher at St. A pair of Osceola School District employees who are also products of that system have been named its annual employees of the year.

Harmony high school