MCAA Teacher of the Year: Jessica Webb
Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Jessica Webb is honored to have been selected as Madison Creative Arts Academy's (MCAA) Teacher of the Year. She is in her fifth year at MCAA and is currently teaching fifth and sixth- grade science and sixth through eighth-grade agricultural education. She also serves as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor. Webb has taught in Madison County schools for 21 years. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and is pursuing her master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Florida State University. Webb has loved her time at MCAA. “The closeness of the administration and the support from families makes everything easier,” said Webb. “We have a great team that works together.” Like many great teachers, Webb loves the “lightbulb” moments when kids grasp difficult concepts. “I love to see them succeed,” said Webb. When it's time to relax, Webb loves offshore fishing and raising livestock with her family. She is proud of her hard-working husband, Shawn, and their three children: Grace, Olivia and Leah.
GES Teacher of the Year: Mannika Hopkins
Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Mannika Hopkins is pleased to have been selected as Greenville Elementary School's (GES) Teacher of the Year. She is in her third year of teaching third through fifth grade reading ELA. Hopkins earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Saint Leo University. She thoroughly enjoys working with the staff and students of GES. “The school has a family atmosphere,” said Hopkins. “We all support each other and work together. As for the students, I love those 'ah ha' moments when I can see that they understand what I'm teaching.” In her spare time, Hopkins loves spending time with her family. “I love taking trips, eating and going to movies with my family,” said Hopkins. She is the proud mother of three adult children: Daryl, Javarrek and Montrezus.
LES Teacher of the Year: Lisa Smith
Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Lisa Smith is honored to have been selected as Lee Elementary School's (LES) Teacher of the Year. She has spent her entire 16-year career at LES, and she currently teaches fifth and sixth grade reading and social studies. Smith earned her bachelor's degree in General Education (K-6) from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). The Town of Lee's motto of “Little but Proud” certainly holds true for Smith's experience at the school. “I enjoy the small, loving atmosphere,” said Smith. “We support each other across all grade levels. I especially enjoy helping the kids to be more than good students. I want to see them grow up to be great people.” When Smith has some free time, she enjoys cooking, singing and spending time with family, especially her 15- month-old grandchild. Smith and her husband, Rusty, have two grown children: Hope Davis and Morgan Malloy.
PES Teacher of the Year: Bobbi Pinkard
Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Pinetta native Bobbi Pinkard is pleased to have been selected as Pinetta Elementary School's (PES) Teacher of the Year. She has spent her entire nine-year career at PES, where she teaches kindergarten. Pinkard earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Florida, with certification in ESOL and reading. What she likes most about teaching is the interaction with the kids. “I love helping them learn, especially through hands-on experience,” said Pinkard. “I want them to do more than just learn, I want them to love learning.” Pinkard particularly enjoys teaching in the same classroom she sat in when she was five-years-old. “It's really cool to be able to teach where I went to school,” said Pinkard. “I love the family atmosphere at PES. We all take care of each other.” In her free time, Pinkard enjoys reading, ceramics and making curriculum for other teachers, including crafts and activities. She and her husband, Andrew, have three children: Gavin, Gabriel and Evelyn.
MCCS Elementary Teacher of the Year:
Carie Diepersloot
Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Enthusiasm seems to come naturally for Madison County Central School's (MCCS) Elementary Teacher of the Year, Carie Diepersloot. Perhaps it comes from teaching first-grade students at MCCS for four years, or perhaps it comes from her genuine care about the students and their growth. That growth is one of the aspects she enjoys most about teaching first grade. “Oh my gosh, the kids, they grow so much in that first year,” exclaims Diepersloot. Diepersloot originally hails from Pasco County, where she began working as a para- professional when her own children were young. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in psychology at Saint Leo University. After working as a para-professional for nine years, she transitioned into teaching. Diepersloot has also served in Gilchrist County, where she worked as a para- professional and taught pre-k classes. She has been teaching for approximately eight years. “I am very honored to have been named Teacher of the Year at the school here,” added Diepersloot. “But I could not do anything here alone. We have great teachers here [at MCCS] and the support system and staff are all so helpful.” She is married to her husband, Eric, who works at Full Circle Dairy, in Lee.
MCCS Middle Grades Teacher of the Year:
Daphne Brooks
Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Change is nothing new for Daphne Brooks, Madison County Central School's (MCCS) Middle Grades Teacher of the Year. Brooks, who is in her 20 th year teaching, began her professional career working in retail. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Valdosta State University (VSU), Brooks had plans to make her mark in the business world. However, her mother, Emma, who is also a math teacher, convinced her to consider teaching. Brooks decided to change her career direction and become certified as a teacher. She currently teaches math to sixth- grade students at MCCS. Brooks says seeing that “light bulb moment” when a student finally understands a concept is what she enjoys most. “Students sometimes say at the beginning of the year, 'I can't do math.' I tell them, 'We're going to change that.'” Brooks grew up in Monticello, but attended Madison County schools, where her mother taught. She graduated from Madison County High School as a member of the Class of 1994. She then went on to North Florida Community College and VSU. She is the daughter of Roosevelt and Emma Brooks.
JMPHS Teacher of the Year: Mandy Bergeron
Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Mandy Bergeron is James Madison Preparatory High School’s (JMPHS) Teacher of the Year. She is in her fourth year of teaching at JMPHS. Currently, she teaches English 1 and reading. “I love helping the students,” said Bergeron, who has taught for 12 years. Bergeron earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of South Florida and her master’s degree in English Literature from Ohio Dominican University, in Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, Bergeron enjoys photography as well as painting, drawing and using her talents to make t-shirts.
MCHS Teacher of the Year: Leslie McLeod
Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
In her first year of teaching at Madison County High School (MCHS), Leslie McLeod has been selected as their Teacher of the Year. Now in her sixth year of teaching, McLeod teaches English (1-4), biology, earth/space science, integrated science 1, preparation for entrepreneurship and self employment, transition planning (9-12), self determination and learning strategies (9-12). McLeod is also the sponsor for the Fiber Arts Club and co- director of the High School High Tech Club. Thus far, teaching at MCHS has been a rewarding experience for McLeod. “As a self- contained teacher at MCHS and having most of them [students] for four years or more, I am able to watch them grow and become adults,” said McLeod. “I love that I can help guide them in the right direction and teach them how to think critically so they are prepared to go out into the real world. Watching students grasp a concept that they have struggled with, overcoming barriers that they (and their parents) were told they would never overcome and graduating and becoming productive citizens in our community are my favorite parts of teaching.” McLeod earned her bachelor's degree in Exceptional Student Education from the University of West Florida, where she also earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with ESOL and Reading Endorsements. In her spare time, McLeod enjoys most outdoor activities, including primitive camping. “I also enjoy finding 'hole in the wall' restaurants and exploring places I've never visited,” said McLeod. She and her husband, Jack, have two children: Sean and Summer.
WCA Teacher of the Year: Rose Terrero
Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Rose Terrero is thrilled to have been selected as Teacher of the Year for Waypoint Charter Academy (WCA), in Greenville. Since third grade, Terrero knew she wanted to be a teacher. During her senior year of high school, Terrero began teaching Spanish to VPK students. In 2015, she earned her associate's degree in Child Development. Knowing this was the career path for her, Terrero went on to earn her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Currently, Terrero teaches in the access point classroom at WCA.