TPE’s Sonya Kelly Named A Hillsborough Teacher Of The Year Finalist! By CELESTE McLAUGHLIN Correspondent Sonya Kelly was taken by surprise on December 7, when Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools Addison Davis and an entourage of school officials filled her third grade classroom at Tampa Palms Elementary with cheers. They were there to announce that out of 15,000 teachers countywide, Kelly was chosen as one of five finalists for Hillsborough County’s Teacher of the Year. How did she feel in that moment? “A little bit overwhelmed, honestly, and kind of shocked because I just didn’t see it coming,” she said, as she choked back tears. “It’s a huge honor.” Kelly has been teaching in Hillsborough County public schools for the past 12 years. She was selected by her peers at Tampa Palms Elementary (TPE) as the school’s Teacher of the Year and became one of 228 nominees for the District-wide title. “Mrs. Kelly is so deserving of this recognition,” said TPE principal Maryann Lippek. “She makes a lasting difference in the lives of her students. She believes in all of her students and helps them to believe in themselves.” Of the five county finalists for Teacher of
the Year, the five finalists for the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, and the three finalists for Instructional Support Employee of the Year, Kelly is the only one chosen from any of New Tampa’s public schools. Kelly’s principal says she sets an example for other teachers. “Her dedication and commitment to education is inspiring,” Lippek said. “Tampa Palms Elementary is very proud of her!” While she appreciates the accolades, Kelly notes that they are not the most important thing to her. “I know I am truly making a difference in the lives of my students and I am honored that my colleagues have recognized me for Teacher of the Year at my [school],” she says. “It’s an incredible moment to be celebrated by my peers, but the true gift comes from the gratitude in the eyes of my students.” A winner in each of the three categories will be named at the 2022 Excellence in Education Awards, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, and hosted by the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), on Thursday, January 20, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa. For more information about the 2022 Excellence in Education Awards, visit EducationFoundation.com/EIE2022.
DENISE LONG Chiles Elementary
District 3 Hillsborough County School Board member Jessica Vaughn (left) and Superintendent of Schools Addison Davis congratulate Tampa Palms Elementary teacher Sonya Kelly for being one of five Teacher of the Year finalists for the entire Hillsborough District.
JACQUELINE KOEHLER Hunter’s Green Elementary
COREEN FASSEL (right) Pride Elementary
KYLA BAILEY Turner/Bartels K8 School
MECHELLE WILLIAMS Clark Elementary 4
MONICA MUKHERJEE Heritage Elementary
For Advertising Information Call 813-910-2575 • Volume 30, Issue 1 • January 11, 2022 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
Neighborhood News
@NTWCNews
