Jan. 22, 2024
Gerard Madrinan, a music teacher and band director at Seminole High School, was named the 2024 Pinellas County Schools Teacher of the Year at the Evening of Excellence ceremony.
The event, which honored all Teacher of the Year nominees, was hosted by the Pinellas Education Foundation at the Mahaffey Theater.
Madrinan will be entered in the state Teacher of the Year competition, sponsored by the Florida Department of Education.
Upon news of his win, Madrinan thanked virtually everyone in the district who supported him.
"Thank you to my students," he said. "You are not just my why, but you are the why and the reason for the entire community. And on Jan. 1, 2025, you will represent the best of us as you march down Colorado Blvd. in the 2025 Rose Parade in California."
His overall message was simple:
"What is measured is valued. Wake up each morning, clap your hands together and work hard. Love the game. The grass is greener where you water it."
Madrinan's godson and nephew, Dylan Madrinan, who plays saxophone in the band, joined Madrinan on stage. "It’s all business, not learning to have fun while working hard, but learning that working hard IS fun,” Dylan said.
"…Uncle Gerry is great because he makes us feel confident in being ourselves," Dylan said. "That we are absolutely good enough and smart enough to get after our dreams. That we can stare out into the horizon, set a goal, and through baby steps, achieve it. I’m proud to be a band dork for life thanks to Uncle Gerry…I mean Mr. Madrinan."
Shortly after he was named a finalist, Madrinan said, "Teaching to me means waking up every day, working extremely hard and loving the game."
Madrinan wants his students to share his joy and feel like they are part of a family.
"The idea that we are greater together than separate is probably my greatest motivation," he said.
Mr. Madrinan's impact goes far beyond the band room, according to Superintendent Kevin Hendrick.
“Seminole High School band director Gerard Madrinan embodies how academic excellence through the performing arts positively changes the lives of the students in his classroom. The student experiences he creates through music, community engagement, and commitment to a team have a life-long impact,” Hendrick said. “As a Seminole High School alum, Mr. Madrinan’s dedication to his students extends to his coworkers, families and the community at large.”
Madrinan has great memories of being a Seminole High student and shares them with his students.
"So when I talk to them about the experiences they have, I remind them, not only did I go through those things, just like every teacher was once-upon-a-time a student, but I went through them here, in the same classrooms, in the same band room," he said.
Madrinan started on a different path. He went to college as a pre-medicine major, and then he switched to nursing, which pleased both of his parents, who are registered nurses. The day he received his acceptance into the College of Nursing at USF, he broke the news to his parents that he really wanted to be a music education teacher. They supported his decision.
"It was just something I was always drawn to, something I was obsessed with and something I knew I would be passionate about."
Many educators have influenced him along the way. "I'm just so lucky to have had mentors, to have had people who inspired me, big brothers, father figures," he said.
He hopes to be that influence for his students. "Because I wouldn't be here if it weren't for those people," he said.
Madrinan joined the Seminole High faculty a decade ago. He became a Pinellas teacher nearly 20 years ago, serving as a music appreciation teacher at Clearwater Intermediate. He was band director at Dunedin Highland Middle and served as an itinerant music teacher at 10 elementary schools.
At Seminole High, he serves as department head for the Visual and Performing Arts. He oversees music education and instrumental instruction for the Marching Band, Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, the Winter Guard, Indoor Percussion Ensemble and Chamber ensembles. He is also Band Chairman for the Pinellas County Music Educators Association.
He earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from the University of South Florida.
Seminole High Principal Jane Lucas praised Madrinan's leadership, innovation and collaborative nature in her recommendation letter.
"Mr. Madrinan’s energy and Herculean efforts on behalf of our educational ecosystem are inspiring!" Dr. Lucas said.
The other Teacher of the Year finalists were Deanna Barthel of Clearwater Fundamental Middle School; Lisa Bitting of Palm Harbor University High School; Sadra Bostick of Ponce de Leon Elementary School; Kristin Campbell of Sandy Lane Elementary School; Karin David of East Lake Middle School; Debbie Georgia-Stein of Gibbs High School; Kristin Jennings of Bay Vista Fundamental Elementary School; Naomi Middlebrooks of Maximo Elementary School; and Cole Pierce of Tyrone Middle School.
All the finalists exemplify excellence, Henrick said. "We celebrate Gerard Madrinan and all of our teachers as they are the heart of our district and work daily to achieve our vision of 100% Student Success.”
Each finalist will receive an array of prizes, including $500 from the Pinellas Community Foundation and the Pinellas Education Foundation, a $1,500 classroom grant from Raymond James, and a special experience at an upcoming Tampa Bay Rays game.
In addition to cash awards and the special experience at Rays game, Madrinan's prizes will include a limousine ride to school, a classroom grant from the Maurice A. & Thelma P. Rothman Family Foundation, a ring from Balfour, a luxury weekend car rental from Crown Automotive, and a five-night Hawaiian getaway courtesy of Astro Skate Family Fun Center.
Emerging Teachers of the Year were also honored. Katrina Carpenter of Mount Vernon Elementary is the winner at the elementary level, and Dr. Amanda Daniels of Palm Harbor University High is the winner at the secondary level. This award recognizes exemplary new teachers.
“It is a privilege and an honor to recognize our exceptional Teacher of the Year nominees and top 10 finalists during our annual Evening of Excellence, while also celebrating every educator in Pinellas County,” said Kim Jowell, CEO of Pinellas Education Foundation. “The impact of an outstanding teacher is immeasurable. It extends beyond the classroom as they shape the future by nurturing the minds and hearts of students, molding them into responsible citizens and critical thinkers.”
Evening of Excellence
The IT Factor - Inspiring Teachers - Gerard Madrinan
