FUTURES Names First Year Teacher Award Winners

FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools announced its two 2020 First Year Teacher Award recipients during surprise virtual & in-person celebrations Aug. 27th. The 2020 Elementary First Year Teacher Award recipient is Danielle Gregory, a first-grade teacher nominated at Friendship Elementary School in Deltona but now teaching at Champion Elementary in Daytona Beach. The 2020 Secondary First Year Teacher Award recipient is Nicole M. Rose-Peadick, a 6th grade world history teacher at Heritage Middle School in Deltona.

Former Friendship Elementary Principal Dr. Cristina Raimundo in nominating Ms. Gregory, stated “Since the first day of pre-planning Danielle has expressed a love for teaching. She shared fond memories of being the child of a teacher and how volunteering in the classroom made her realize teaching was her calling. She prepared her classroom meticulously thinking and planning every detail. She created an inviting student-centered learning environment in which students know they are cared for and allowed to take risks.”

Heritage Middle School Principal Thomas Vaughan stated, “Upon reflection, I have never seen a teacher take command of a classroom, soak up new knowledge, and apply that new knowledge with such amazing efficiency and efficacy as Mrs. Rose-Peadick has done during her first year of teaching. Truly, something I am thankful to have encountered.”

These recipients were selected from 53 nominees chosen to represent their schools during the 2019-2020 school year. To be considered for the recognition, nominees must have earned a Baccalaureate degree, started a full-time teaching career on or after Jan. 1, 2019, performed outstandingly based on standards established by the Volusia County School District and been nominated by their school principal.

In May, six finalists were named for this award. The 2020 elementary level finalists were Ms. Gregory; Onnie Norman, first grade teacher nominated at Spirit Elementary now teaching at Volusia Online Learning; and Rachel Secord, third grade teacher at Spruce Creek Elementary. The 2020 secondary level finalists were Meghan McKenna, physical education teacher at University High; William H. Parrish-Talk, culinary arts teacher at Silver Sands Middle; and Mrs. Rose-Peadick.

The thirty-one 2020 Elementary First Year Teacher nominees included:

Jazmin Skipper - Blue Lake Elementary School

Tala Saboungi - Champion Elementary School

Miranda Solms - Chisholm Elementary School

Olivia Noboa - Citrus Grove Elementary School

Kelley Markland – nominated at Cypress Creek Elementary School now at Volusia Online Learning

Carissa Beattie - Deltona Lakes Elementary School

Jessica Vandermeulen - Edgewater Public School

Natalie Maynard - Enterprise Elementary School

Jacquelyn Dezerey Alicea - Forest Lake Elementary School

C. Angie Vogelzang - Freedom Elementary School

Danielle Gregory – nominated at Friendship Elementary School now at Champion Elementary School

Kristina Cawthon - George Marks Elementary School

Alexis Miller - Holly Hill School

Sierra Dollar - Indian River Elementary School

Emily Naghdi - Louise S. McInnis Elementary School

Sarah Kriner – nominated at Manatee Cove Elementary School now at DeBary Elementary School

Nicholas Weaver - Orange City Elementary School

Rachael Nizialek - Ortona Elementary School

Maria Quinonez - Pierson Elementary School

Elyse Frezza - Pride Elementary School

Brionna Simpkins - Read-Pattillo Elementary School

Kelly Dooley - South Daytona Elementary School

Onnie Norman – nominated at Spirit Elementary School now at Volusia Online Learning

Rachel Secord - Spruce Creek Elementary School

Nicole Richards - Sugar Mill Elementary School

Allison Brownell – nominated at Sunrise Elementary School now at Spruce Creek Elementary School

Lindy Feeser – nominated at Sweetwater Elementary School now at Volusia Online Learning

Stephanie Wallace - Timbercrest Elementary School

Alexis Kurland - Tomoka Elementary School

Tasney Thomas - Westside Elementary School

Katrina Beck - Woodward Elementary School

 

The twenty-two 2020 Secondary First Year Teacher nominees included:

Brooke Adkins - Atlantic High School

Adebisi Muibat Shittu - Campbell Middle School

Anna Hack - Creekside Middle School

Julio Rivera - David C. Hinson Middle School

Jackie Johnson - DeLand High School

Gina Klimas - DeLand Middle School

Jeremiah Johnson - Deltona High School

Jordan P. Gawel - Deltona Middle School

Kimbre Lemasney - Galaxy Middle School

Nicole M. Rose-Peadick - Heritage Middle School

Heidi Gerson - Holly Hill School

Dr. Verna-Kay Smith - Mainland High School

Phoenix Mason - New Smyrna Beach High School

Crystal G. Johnston – nominated at New Smyrna Beach Middle School now at Volusia Online Learning

Tyler Cannon - Pine Ridge High School

Orlenna M. Garris - River Springs Middle School

Kristen Perkins - Seabreeze High School

William H. Parrish-Talk - Silver Sands Middle School

Patricia Arambulo - Southwestern Middle School

Elizabeth Maderas - Spruce Creek High School

Whitney Sylvia - T. DeWitt Taylor Middle/High

Meghan McKenna - University High School

 

Photo 1: The 2020 Elementary First Year Teacher Award recipient is Danielle Gregory, formerly of Friendship Elementary and now at Champion Elementary. Pictured from left are Ruben Colon, Volusia County School Board member; Dr. Rene Clayton, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools; Mark West, Chief of Human Resources; winner Danielle Gregory; Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Interim Superintendent; Cynthia Ramirez, FUTURES Executive Director; and Carl Persis, Volusia County School Board member.

Photo 2: The 2020 Secondary First Year Teacher Award recipient is Nicole Rose-Peadick of Heritage Middle School. Pictured from left are: Ruben Colon, Volusia County School Board member; Patty Corr, Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools; Thomas Vaughan, principal of Heritage Middle; winner Nicole Rose-Peadick; Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Interim Superintendent; Elizabeth Albert, president of Volusia United Educators; and Mark West, Chief of Human Resources.