Ceola Graham, a kindergarten teacher at Madison County Central School, was surprised Tuesday, May 5, by Florida’s Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Paul Imbrone, Macy’s Vice President of Government and Public Affairs. She has been chosen as one of five finalists for the 2016 Teacher of the Year. The Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year is chosen from more than 180,000 public school teachers throughout the state by a Department of Education-appointed selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community. “Every teacher is unique,” said Commissioner Stewart, when asked about choosing the finalists. “They bring something different to their job every single day and you can see that she (Graham) has love for the children and passion for what she does, very hard working and motivated.” Graham received an award of $5,000 and a $1,000 grant for Madison County Central School funded by the Macy’s Foundation and a $500 Macy’s gift card. “I am very shocked and blessed but I give it all to God,” said Graham about being chosen. “He is the one that puts me in this place to teach these young minds.” According to Commissioner Stewart, all five finalists will visit the Florida Department of Education to learn about what they do there. Commissioner Stewart, Chancellor of Public Schools Hershel Lyons and a selection committee will also interview each finalist. The 2016 Teacher of the Year will be announced on July 10 at the annual Florida Department of Education/Macy’s Teacher of the Year gala awards celebration.
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Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Jessie R. Box, May 5, 2015
Madison County Central School kindergarten teacher, Ceola Graham, was chosen as one of five finalists for the Macy’s/Florida Department of Education 2016 Teacher of the Year. Pictured, from left to right, are: Madison County Central School Principal Willie Miles, Superintendent Doug Brown, Ceola Graham, Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, Chancellor of Public Schools Hershel Lyons and Paul Imbrone, Macy’s Vice President of Government and Public Affairs.