Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Teachers of the Year and Educational Support Professionals of the Year!
Congratulations to the district's Teacher of the Year Micaela Ford, and Educational Support Professional of the Year Susan Cartwright!
Micaela Ford
Hardee Junior High
Micaela Ford is located at the Hardee Junior High, teaching sixth-grade advanced science, as well as sixth- and seventh-grade STEM. She has been involved in many projects to better the education community, including co-organizing a STEM program for the junior high, organizing three summer training sessions to supplement teachers with technology resources, co-founding an Odyssey of the Mind team at the junior high, and creating a one-day science camp for elementary students. She said, “I strongly believe that being a leader is finding a way to help others be their best.”
“My favorite children’s book would have to be “Wonder” by R.J Palacio. I used this book every year in literature circles with I taught fourth and fifth grade. This book is important to me because along with teaching kindness, it has many other important themes such as having compassion, empathy, and showing acceptance of others. Students are able to relate to these themes and how Auggie, the main character, wants to be accepted and loved.”
Lisa Spencer
Bowling Green Elementary
A Hardee High School graduate, Lisa Kay Spencer is currently a first-grade teacher at Bowling Green Elementary. This is her 28th year of teaching, with 23 of them in Hardee County.
“I am an elementary teacher with 28 years of experience working with children in grades Kindergarten through sixth grade…I am dedicated, caring, and passionate about working with children and helping them to learn and grow. My teaching style is interactive, collaborative, and hands-on. I strive to inspire a love of learning, and create a fun and engaging learning environment.”
She is inspired by the words of Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel.”
Greg Summers
Hardee Senior High
Gregory A Summers joined the Hardee Senior High faculty in 2016, and is currently a math teacher, assistant athletic director, and JV baseball coach. He has also been a football and baseball coach. He has worked with the PE department and headed up a successful grant proposal to improve the weight room at the school.
His favorite children’s book is Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” He said, “I love this book because it encourages you to move mountains, and if you run into problems along the way, keep moving forward. You are going to do great things, no doubt.”
On his classroom wall is a poster that says, “Mathematics may not teach us how to add love or subtract hate but it gives us every reason to hope that every problem has a solution.”
Amanda Crawford
Hilltop Elementary
A fifth-grade math and social studies teacher, this is Amanda Crawford’s thirteenth year at Hardee County Schools, and has taught both elementary and junior high-level classes.
“As an educator I am inspired by my students and teachers from my past. Teaching is not the easiest profession. In the 13 years I have taught, education has changed so much. More and more responsibilities and requirements are placed on teachers, which can become exhausting and discouraging at times. However, when I see my students’ faces and the joy that comes from their success, especially after overcoming struggle, I remember exactly why I chose this profession.”
Melanie Nuccio
North Wauchula Elementary
Melanie Nuccio has been a 2nd grade teacher for the past 4 years, with 9 years of teaching Kindergarten before that in Hardee County.
“I feel that I have been a teacher leader in the way that I speak, act, and behave,” she said. “I lead my students daily through rigorous learning and challenging activities. I try to build positive peer relationships and encourage collaboration among my team and other. I am willing to help in any manner that I am needed. Flexible is my middle name, because I know things can change at the drop of a hat. I am excited about learning new things, and I am willing to put myself out there even if it takes me out of my comfort zone. I am not afraid to laugh at myself when I make a mistake, in fact I probably do this on a daily basis. I have a strong commitment to my students and have a passion to see them succeed.”
Jessica Prescott
Wauchula Elementary
Jessica Prescott began her Hardee County School District career at the junior high level in 2016. In 2022, she moved to Wauchula Elementary and is currently a fifth-grade teacher there.
“As an educator, I am inspired by sharing moments of genuine connection with students, especially the ones who lack positive relationships with adults. What drives me forward is seeing those types of students find belonging, have ‘AHA!’ moments, and begin to believe that they are worthy of love and capable of learning.”
In 2018, she “felt a calling to host an event for middle school girls that would allow other women to pour into these girls, help them see their worth, and give them a chance to hear the Gospel.” She helped host several events of “Just Us Girls,” contributing positively to the community culture of Hardee County.
Juliann Hunnicutt
Zolfo Springs Elementary
Juliann Hunnicutt has been at Zolfo Springs Elementary for five years, and is currently the 3rd and 4th grade reading remediation teacher. Last year, she wrote a grant through the Hardee County Education Foundation for a book vending machine at the school. She said, “I was confident this improvement to our school would be a fun way to improve student engagement and enhance the love for reading.” She continues to write grants to fill the vending machine with books for the students.
One of her favorite children’s books is “Nina, Nina Ballerina!” by Jane O’Connor. She explained, “This is one of the first ‘big’ books I remember successfully reading as a child. This book shares a lesson of overcoming fears and insecurities through persistence and perseverance. I have two daughters that are now dancers and I have been able to share this book with them and teach them important life lessons through the story of a young ballerina. As I read this book to my girls it brings back so many childhood memories that I will forever cherish.”
Kitty Maddox
District Office
Kitty Maddox is the District Title I Resource Teacher and Homeless Liaison in Federal Programs, and has been in that department for the last ten years. Before that, she was an English, Language Arts, and reading teacher at Hardee Junior High School, for a total of 26 years at Hardee County Schools.
In her current position, she coordinates meeting federal requirements, monitoring procedures, and compliance documentation. For the last few years, she has written for a number of grants.
“I wrote the first Title IX, Homeless Children and Youth grant in 2019-2020,” she explained. “This funding allows for backpacks, school supplies, supplemental curriculum, clothing, advocacy, and helps fund a Super Summer School program.”
Susan Cartwright
Hardee Senior High
Susan Harrison Cartwright is the Office Manager at Hardee Senior High School. In her 22 years at Hardee County Schools, she has also been a tutor for the Early Childhood Program, a tutor for English and math, a computer lab technician, and AG/FFA Secretary for the high school. She also adds, “As administrators changed, so did my positions. I was continually asked to use my skill set to support the school in various positions.” These included working as the Assistant Principal’s Secretary, Attendance Secretary, Guidance Office Registrar, and Data Entry Secretary. She was also a JV and varsity cheerleading coach, Athletic Secretary, an ESE paraprofessional, Senior Class Sponsor, and Student Council Co-Sponsor.
“As educators, regardless of the position, we can never forget and should also embrace our power to make a difference.”
Yuri Coronado
Bowling Green Elementary
A Hardee County native, Yuri Coronado graduated from Hardee Senior High School, earned her AA at SFSC, and has worked in the Hardee County School District for nine years. She is currently an ESE Paraprofessional.
Her favorite children’s book was “Rainbow Fish.” She explained: “At some point in our childhood, we all have been faced with the issue of sharing something that is special to us. Sharing can sometimes be difficult. I think this book can be used to help students have a meaningful discussion about the benefits of sharing. Children can see the point of view of the other fish who admire the rainbow fish’s sparkling scales. They can also watch the rainbow fish struggle with a difficult choice and then respond with generosity. I love it because it teaches us as well in adulthood to be generous.”
Kacey Hays
Hardee Junior High
Kacey Hays is the Dean’s Secretary and Athletics Assistant at Hardee Junior High. “I am directly involved with athletics at HJH. I help to ensure that our department is meeting the requirements set forth by the FHSAA. By checking off on required materials, it allows for our coaches and administrators to know that each student is healthy and ready to participate in the sports that we offer.”
She has been with Hardee County Schools for five years, and her favorite book is E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web.” She explained, “The book tells the reader about the meaning of true friendship and how important and valuable it is.”
Tim Powell
Hilltop Elementary
Food service assistant Timothy Powell has worked in the Hardee County Schools for eight years. He lives by the philosophy: “Always believe in yourself.”
Patrice Baker, Food Service Manager, said, “His dedication and perseverance for this position is above and beyond anything we could ask for. He comes in with a smile on his face and works diligently to keep attitudes and morale high. He is an absolute asset to this team and a blessing beyond anything we could have ever expected. Tim’s personality is like the bright morning sunshine and all who encounter him leave with a smile.”
Tanya Mosley
North Wauchula Elementary
When asked to name her favorite children’s book, STEM Lab Coordinator Tanya Mosley wrote, “I would love to give you the title of a philosophical masterpiece. But I am going to go with Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Grinch.’ I believe there is good in everyone, sometimes it just takes being a ‘Cindy Lou Who’ to see it.”
Having worked in the Hardee County School District for six years, she wrote, “I have had the opportunity to be assigned on two separate occasions to brand-new positions that didn’t previously exist at NWES: My current position as STEM Coordinator and my previous role as Fifth Grade Science Lab Coordinator.” The 5th grade science lab allowed every student to experience and manipulate objects in a hands-on laboratory setting. She worked hard with Ms. Stannage to make everything she was teaching practical to the students. The STEM Lab was an opportunity to start exposing children to science as early as Kindergarten, as it is an activity rotation. “I now serve grades K-5, and every student has access to hands-on learning once per week.”
Stephanie Reid
Wauchula Elementary
Stephanie Reid has worked in the Hardee County School system since 2009, and is currently the data clerk at Wauchula Elementary School. While growing up, she attended Hardee County Schools.
Principal of Wauchula Elementary Mary Sue Maddox said, “Mrs. Reid holds a deep passion for our students and community. She welcomes students and families with an outgoing personality. Mrs. Reid is loved and respected by her administration and our WES staff.”
“A commitment to supporting the students of Hardee County is something Mrs. Reid has demonstrated during her years in the district,” added Mary Farr, Director of Student Academic Services and Federal Programs. “I have watched her develop a rapport with the students and families at both the high school and elementary level, helping to make them feel welcomed and valued.”
Nancy Coronado
Zolfo Springs Elementary
Nancy Coronado is the head custodian at Zolfo Springs Elementary. She has been with Hardee County Schools for 18 years. She is a member of the United Methodist Church in Wauchula, and lives by Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Margarita Olvera
District Office
Margarita Olvera has been in the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department for 19 years, first as the District secretary/parent liaison, then as the Office Manager.
“The teacher that inspired me the most was Victoria 'Vickie' Albrittion,” she said. “I had her for two computer classes and she made typing and using the computers exciting. She was a very sweet and kind teacher and I enjoyed learning to type and manipulate things on the computer. Today, I still enjoy typing and working with the Microsoft Office programs, especially Publisher.”
She believes in the words of John Lennon, that say, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay…then it’s not the end.”
Doug Stephens
Educational Facilities
Douglas Stephens is the Fire, Safety, and Sanitation Coordinator in the Educational Facilities department. He has been in his current position for the past two years, and was skilled labor before that.
His job keeps him busy. He is directly involved with all the school improvements, including school fencing, gates, and new security doors and walls. He also manages permits, special projects, and ensures the gym floor is repaired and resurfaced every year.
His favorite children’s book is “Goodnight Moon.” He explained, “I remember reading it to my son when he was young.”
Cheltzy Vang
Transportation Department
Cheltzey Vang has been in the Transportation Department for nine years. Apart from being a fulltime bus driver, she also is a field trip driver, keeps the offices clean. and is the event coordinator for celebrations and parades.
This mother of three is currently working toward becoming the next Transportation Operations Specialist/Driver Trainer, to teach and train future bus drivers and tutors. The process will take about 8-10 years to become certified in all the requirement training areas.
Teresa Brandeberry, the current Transportation Operations Specialist/Driver Trainer, said, “Cheltzey is one of the most reliable, punctual, and dedicated employees that I know. She has a fabulous attitude and gets along will with all of her co-workers… She is a dedicated and hardworking employee, and has striven to do the best she can and to move forward in her education and career.”