Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Spook Hill Elementary science teacher Cynara Appling has been named the 2024-25 Polk County Teacher of the Year. Appling's honor was announced at the Inspire Awards at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland Friday night.
Cynara Appling of Spook Hill Elementary in Lake Wales was named the Polk County Teacher of the Year and will be considered for the statewide honor as well.
The Inspire Awards are presented by the Polk Education Foundation and PCPS' Department of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships.
In making the announcement, the school system said "Cynara Appling makes an impact wherever she goes. She has a special role in our district, transferring to schools in need of additional academic support, and finding ways to connect with students in the classroom."
According to her nomination, at the Lake Wales school she was recognized for developing a host of creative and engaging hands-on lessons that helped increase students' proficiency in science. Administrators reported that Appling had an immediate effect on the school.
In addition to the Polk County honor, Appling will move on to compete for the Florida Teacher of the Year title. Each year, the Florida Department of Education names a statewide Teacher of the Year.
Ervie Louis, a paraeducator at Jewett School of the Arts, was named School-Related Employee of the Year for Polk and will also compete in the statewide event.
Appling and Louis will each receive cash prizes and other gifts made possible by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union and the collective generosity of sponsors.
Ervie Louis has spent 40-plus years working in education at Jewett School of the Arts serving multiple generations of families, developing deep bonds within the school and community.
Ervie Louis, a paraeducator at Jewett School of the Arts, was named School-Related Employee of the Year for Polk County.
Appling is reportedly inspired by challenges and loves the moments when she can calm a student's nerves, build their confidence and morale, and encourage them to strive for excellence.
Polk County Public Schools celebrated Appling, Louis and many of the district's other outstanding employees at the event, including the district's Principal of the Year, Suzie Nelson who heads Chain of Lakes Elementary in Winter Haven, and the Assistant Principal of the Year, Stephanie Huber of Southwest Middle School in Lakeland.
The presenting sponsor for the event is MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Mosaic is the Platinum sponsor. Gold sponsors are Aramark, Jarrett Gordon Ford, BlueCross BlueShield of Florida, Legoland Florida Resort, Boswell & Dunlap, Publix Super Markets Charities, Cemex and TECO. Silver sponsors are Ben Hill Griffin, Inc. and Polk State College. Bronze sponsors are Coca-Cola Florida, Huntington Learning Center, Florida Southern College, Orlando Health, Herff Jones and the Polk Education Association.
Reader Comments(0)