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Jessie Boyce
2018 Pinellas County Teacher of the Year
Jessie Boyce, a mathematics teacher at Tyrone Middle School, was named the Pinellas County Schools Outstanding Educator of the Year. The announcement was made Wednesday night at the Evening of Excellence held at St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater.
Boyce has been teaching for 10 years, the last five at Tyrone Middle School. She has taught both math and science but most recently has been teaching sixth-grade math. Boyce helped start a one-to-one technology initiative as Tyrone Middle transitioned to the Center for Innovation and Digital Learning. As part of the Pinellas Innovates initiative, she has spearheaded personalized learning and flexible seating in the county. Boyce writes, provides training, speaks at conferences and blogs about education and ways to bring innovation into the classroom.
Boyce will receive cash and prizes valued at approximately $10,000 including cash awards totaling almost $5,000 from the Pinellas Education Foundation and the Pinellas Community Foundation. She will receive a Keg A Que gas grill from Clearwater Gas System, a limo ride to school courtesy of His & Hers Limousines, a gift basket from Nardo’s Natural Organic Skin Care, Mahaffey Theater tickets courtesy of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, a two-night stay at the Hotel Indigo, a weekend luxury car rental from Crown Auto Dealerships, a $3,500 scholarship from Nova Southeastern University, the Outstanding Educator commemorative ring courtesy of Balfour, tickets to Walt Disney World, Sea World and Aquatica courtesy of Disney and Sea World respectively, and special recognition at the Education Night with the Rays in the spring at Tropicana Field.
Jenni Herman, a second-grade teacher at Pinellas Central Elementary, was named the Outstanding Educator Fan Favorite Award. This award is voted on by students, parents and the community on the Education Foundation’s Facebook page. As the Fan Favorite, Jenni will receive a special recognition and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at Education Night with the Rays at Tropicana Field and a personalized Rays jersey. She will receive a Keg A Que from Clearwater Gas System, Mahaffey Theater tickets courtesy of the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, a two-night stay at the Hotel Indigo, and other gifts.
All Educator of the Year finalists will receive a $500 cash award from the Pinellas Education Foundation, an autographed copy of Wanderlust by Dick Jacobs, a $2,500 scholarship from Nova Southeastern University and other gifts.
The Business Partners of the Year were also announced and honored during the evening. Winners for the Business Partner of the Year are:
Small Business
Humble Bee Gardens
Large Business
Tech Data
District
Franklin Templeton
Frank Chivas was inducted into the Hall of Honor.
The Evening of Excellence was presented by the Pinellas Education Foundation and Pinellas County Schools and sponsors Ditek, Humana and the Tampa Bay Rays.