Never weary of the work: Polk school district announces teacher and employee of the year
Amid confetti and the flash and click of cameras, Polk County Public Schools announced the teacher and school-related employee of the year Thursday during the Inspire Awards ceremony at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Elizabeth Ashmore, a third-grade teacher at Padgett Elementary in Lakeland, was named as the 2024 Polk County teacher of the year, and Richard Reich, the registrar at East Area Adult School in Winter Haven, was named school-related employee of the year.
Accepting the award, Ashmore thanked the finalists and others within the Polk County education community before reflecting on how rewarding but difficult teaching can be.
“I grow weary in my work, but never of my work,” she said. “There are so many things that can cause us to grow weary in what we do. But my hope and my prayer is that we never grow weary of what we get to do.”
Reich said, “I think education has some very, very hard moments and it kind of creates a bond with every educator. And you can go anywhere with anyone in education and they will understand a part of you that no one else really can.
“So to have the people who understand how difficult it is to pick me, thank you, I don’t know what to say,” he said.
For their achievements, Ashmore and Reich each received cash prizes from MidFlorida Credit Union and custom rings by Herff Jones, among other gifts, including money to attend college courses.
As Teacher of the Year, Ashmore also received a $10,000 cash prize from Jarrett Gordon Ford, which also promised another $5,000 to Reich at the podium.
Both winners will now compete for the state titles as the Florida Department of Education hosts its own statewide competition.
Ashmore serves as a teacher ambassador, and in that role she provides support and mentorship to new educators at Padgett.
School administrators at Padgett said “she takes special care to consider the unique needs of each student and celebrates their progress,” a district release said.
Ashmore, whose mother and sister also attended Padgett, created a program called Level Up eight years ago that rewards her students for positive behavior as well as alleviating their testing pressures. Ashmore also lends a hand to organize parent nights and other events at Padgett.
Reich was once a GED student himself, giving him an important understanding of adult education. As the registrar at his school, he is part of the team that keeps the campus running smoothly.
“He played an essential role during COVID of assisting students with the transition to online learning,” the district said. “He also has spent time doing research and making improvements to services for East Area students.”
During Reich’s tenure, East Area’s enrollment has increased, which administrators said was because of his hard work. They also rely on him for his technology and data expertise, all while being an empathetic friend and colleague who is always willing to offer his knowledge and support.
The district also highlighted the work of other outstanding employees during the awards ceremony. In all, 14 finalists were nominated for the top honors with seven each nominated for teacher and employee of the year respectively. They each left with a check for $650, among other donations.
Teacher of the year finalists included: Christina Wainwright (Medulla Elementary), Sherrie Blackwood (Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy), Kelly Larrow (Mulberry Middle), Robert Brown (Winter Haven High) Kara Holt (Sleepy Hill Middle), and Kelsea Matthews (Pinewood Elementary).
The district’s finalists for School-Related Employee of the Year: Teri Whitehead-Richardson (Lakeland High), Alberto L. Cosme (Boone Middle), Angela Love (Fort Meade-Middle Senior), Debra Glisson (Griffin Elementary), Matthew Brojanowski (Roosevelt Academy), and Laura Kovachy (Lake Gibson Middle).
The district also recognized the its principal of the year, Wanda Aponte from Lake Marion Creek Middle, and assistant principal of the year, Gian Monacelli from Mulberry High.
School Board vice-chairman William Allen represented the board on the podium giving credit to the sponsors, judges and student ambassadors in red shirts who seated guests at the 90 tables set up for the event, which attracted nearly 800 people.
“Each of you is a great example of what it means to be a public servant, he said before all the nominees stood to be recognized.
Superintendent Frederick Heid said to the honorees in the audience that they represented the more than 13,000 employees of the district. Whether its mentoring students or colleagues, driving school busses, working in custodian services or food service, he said, “all of you work collaboratively to make the magic happen here at Polk County Public Schools.”
He added, “We are difference makers, every single day, every moment of every day, we have the unique opportunity, and we are blessed to have that opportunity to change the trajectory of that child’s life.”
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The Inspire Awards were organized by the Polk Education Foundation and the district’s department of public relations and strategic partnerships. The foundation, which organized the first awards ceremony in 1988, has raised about $1 million over 35 years for annual recognition events made possible through donations from its sponsors.
Sponsors included MidFlorida Credit Union and Jarrett Gordon Ford, as well as Aramark, BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, Boswell & Dunlap, Legoland Florida Resort, Mosaic, Publix Super Markets Charities and TECO.
Foundation executive director Susan Copeland said books, supplies, scholarships and school visits from the employees at MidFlorida Credit Union, which received an acknowledgement at the event for its generous support, make a difference to the district more than just once a year.
“The impact of this one business partner is felt every day,” Copeland said.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk Schools announces teacher and employee of the year
