July 13, 2018
Governor's Press Office
850-245-0413
media@eog.myflorida.com
Hillsborough and Wakulla District Teachers of the Year Honored with Special Distinction During the Teacher of the Year Gala
Orlando, Fla., July 13, 2018 – Today, during the Teacher of the Year Gala, Bonnie Bresnyan from Lewis Elementary School in Hillsborough County was presented with the Mary J. Brogan “Excellence in Teaching” Award and Kerry Adams from Shadeville Elementary School in Wakulla County was presented with the Dr. Brian Dassler Leadership Award.
“Bonnie Bresnyan has made a tremendous impact on her students,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “It is evident that she believes all students have the ability to achieve great things, and it’s an honor to recognize her as this year’s Mary J. Brogan ‘Excellence in Teaching’ award recipient.”
During the Teacher of the Year Gala, Connie Smith, chair of the Florida Education Foundation and Samantha Hopper, last year’s recipient of the Mary J. Brogan Award presented Bonnie Bresnyan with the 2018 Mary J. Brogan “Excellence in Teaching” award. On behalf of the Florida Education Foundation, Bonnie was presented with a check for $1,000.
Bonnie Bresnyan is an exceptional student education teacher with 31 years of teaching experience. Her motto is “every child can learn, but every child does not learn the same way.” She spends countless hours carefully considering what support her students need in the areas of curriculum and behavior management. She is a terrific example of an educator who goes above and beyond to meet the individual needs of her students.
The Mary J. Brogan “Excellence in Teaching” award is named in honor of the late Mary J. Brogan, a third grade teacher and elementary principal, to recognize extraordinary educators who instill passion, joy and love of learning in their students. The award is presented to a district teacher of the year who goes above and beyond the classroom experience.
Also during the Teacher of the Year Gala, Andy Tuck, vice chair of the State Board of Education, and Rob Patterson, last year’s recipient of the Dr. Brian Dassler Leadership Award, presented Kerry Adams with the 2018 Dr. Brian Dassler Leadership Award. On behalf of Sandee Tuck and John Padget, Kerry Adams was presented with a check for $1,000.
Kerry Adams is a fifth grade mathematics teacher who has earned the respect and admiration of her students and colleagues. She sets high expectations for her students and does not allow them to settle for anything less than their full potential. She teaches her students to strive for excellence, to respect one another, to love math, and to wear a smile. Her principal praises her for being a problem-solver, an innovator and a dynamic team member in their school community. She has been recognized by the Florida Department of Education as a High Impact Teacher for her impact on student learning.
“Congratulations to Kerry Adams on being presented with the 2018 Dr. Brian Dassler Leadership Award,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “She is a wonderful example of how a creative, determined educator can make a genuine difference in students’ lives, and it is an honor to recognize her with such a special award.”
In March 2017, the education community lost one of its brightest stars with the passing of Deputy Chancellor of Educator Quality Dr. Brian Dassler. An avid social media user, Dr. Dassler was known for remaining in contact with past students and colleagues and for continuing to celebrate in their success even when separated by countless miles. Dr. Dassler’s passion for students was unsurpassed, and he felt passionately that every single student deserved to have a teacher better than the very best teacher any of us ever had. Through this award, each year during the Teacher of the Year Gala, the Florida Department of Education will honor a Florida educator who personifies the values that made Dr. Dassler stand out among the crowd.
The Florida Teacher of the Year Program is made possible by generous sponsors: Florida Prepaid, State Farm, Florida Blue, Telemundo, Helios Education Foundation, Wells Fargo, Publix, Florida Power and Light Company, Florida Lottery, Gulf Power and Herff Jones.
For more about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.