Friday evening I attended a dinner on the campus of the University of Florida hosted by Dean Catherine Emihovich honoring this year's recipients of the College of Education's Distinguished Educator Award. I was selected by orange County to represent our district as one of five teachers from around the state being honored with this award.
Joining me in Gainesville were Susan Ames, Bradford County Public Schools 2007 Teacher of the Year; Gretta Sancho, distinguished Middle School educator from Manatee County Public Schools; and Dr. Mark Strauss, 2007 Broward County Public School Principal of the Year and state finalist. On Friday evening we dined with Dean Emihovich, selected staff and supporters of the College of Education and student ambassadors. It was a wonderful evening of great food and conversation culminating of a special recognition of our accomplishments by the College of Education.
Saturday morning we dined in the President's Box atop "The Swamp' and then walked over to the O'Connell Center where we prepared for the University of Florida Commencement. As Distinguished Educators we met Dr. Bernie Machin, President of the University of Florida; we were robed and became part of the graduation procession; and joined the President, faculty and other honored guests on the stage for the Fall Commencement. During the commencement we were each recognized and again honored for our contributions to education in Florida.
The final highlight seeing a young lady who lives across the street from us and a colleague's son cross the stage and to be able to be one of the first to congratulate each! This was a wonderful experience that I will long cherish.
I want to give special thanks to Dean Catherine Emihovich for this special recognition and the opportunity to represent the teachers of Orange County and a big thank you to Event and Alumni Affairs Coordinator, Jodi Mount for arranging for every detail of a perfect weekend.
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