April 3, 2025
The district has announced the 2024-2025 Emerging Teachers of the Year. The honor recognizes exemplary new teachers who have demonstrated excellence through the representation of the district's Core Values.
This year's winners are Safety Harbor Middle School teacher Emma Johnson and Walsingham Elementary teacher Gabriella Hernandez. The awards were announced at surprise visits this week.
Emma Johnson, a Pre-AP World History and Geography teacher, creates meaningful learning opportunities that inspire curiosity and growth, according to her nominator Principal Susan Alvaro. She leads National History Day projects, mentors students in AVID and the Girlfriends Club, and spearheads initiatives like Black History Month programming. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom, as she actively contributes to her school culture, supporting her colleagues and organizing school events.
Gabriella Hernandez, a third-grade teacher, has cultivated an engaging and supportive classroom environment that fosters academic growth and social development, according to her nominator, Principal Jodi Leichman. A third-grade team leader and ELA Champion, she excels at developing creative lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles. She finds creative ways to engage students, from hosting a poetry picnic to hosting a Starbucks cafe where students create their own businesses.
Congratulations to our Emerging Teachers of the Year:
