Announcing the Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year
Friday, February 3, 2023, 6 p.m.
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) announces finalists for the 2023 Caliber Awards Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year.
Winners will be announced on Friday, February 3, 2023, during the 2023 Caliber Awards Ceremony – an event that honors the nominees, semi-finalists and finalists in each category for their exemplary service and dedication to students and schools. The event begins at 6 p.m., at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Media are invited to cover the ceremony.
This year, three high school teachers, one middle school teacher and one elementary school teacher are vying for the coveted BCPS Teacher of the Year award. A distinguished panel of educators, business leaders and community members selected the finalists, who advanced from a field of more than 200 teachers selected as Teacher of the Year at their respective schools.
Congratulations to the following 2023 Teacher of the Year finalists for demonstrating a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.
Dr. Danielle Bradley is a ninth-grade teacher of Cambridge AICE English, English honors and gifted classes at Coral Glades High School, where she has spent the last 18 years with BCPS out of her 22 years in education. Bradley believes inspiration begins by allowing students to actively participate in the learning process. She strives to provide students with opportunities to not only gain necessary skills but to find their passions.
“Dr. Bradley has a dynamic way of including students authentically in their own learning,” Principal Dr. Mark Kaplan said. “She methodically plans her lessons and demonstrates an uncanny ability to make those lessons come alive for her students.”
Otto Jesus Rodriguez is an 11th grade science teacher at South Broward High School, where he has spent all his 20 years with BCPS. Rodriguez is also a teacher and sponsor of the school’s Latinos in Action program. He believes students must have a greater global awareness to successfully deal with the challenges that current and future generations will face.
“Mr. Rodriguez sets the bar extremely high for all those who work in education with the compassion, dedication and level of service to his students,” Principal Patricia Brown said. “It is difficult to convey how awe-inspiring Mr. Rodriguez truly is an educator. He has an outstanding impact on all his students and colleagues.”
Haley Shurack teaches pre-K students who are deaf and hard of hearing at Tropical Elementary School, where she has spent the last three and a half years with BCPS out of her five years in education. Shurack believes that building trusting and positive relationships with her students and their families is a key component of effective instruction.
“Ms. Shurack has demonstrated success in working with children through her love and care for her students,” Principal Robert Schneider said. “She has been a leader in innovative teaching techniques for our youngest deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Her work over the years has been marked by devotion, integrity and loyalty.”
Lashaundra Williams is a ninth – 12th grade teacher of social science, U.S. History and Advanced Placement Psychology at Hallandale High School, where she has spent the last seven years with BCPS out of her nine years in education. As a social studies teacher, it has been her mission to not only teach the history of our world but to engage students in critical thinking about what was, what is and what could be.
“Ms. Williams is an enthusiastic educator who works tirelessly to ensure her students receive every opportunity to reach their full potential,” Principal Mark Howard said. “As the social studies department chair, she leads her department with integrity and attention to detail.”
Jennifer Wilson is a sixth-grade language arts teacher at Tequesta Trace Middle School, where she has spent the last eight years with BCPS out of her 16 years in education. She believes the purpose of education is to foster intellectual growth that results in students becoming citizens who positively impact their communities and the lives of others.
“Mrs. Wilson is a teacher who does not know how to say no,” Principal Robert Rivera said. “Her leadership is infectious. Her tenacity is incomparable. Her passion for teaching and learning has impacted those around her to be better teachers and administrators.”
Congratulations also to Caliber Awards finalists for Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year for their innovative leadership and exemplary contributions to students, schools and communities.
Principal of the Year Finalists
- Patricia Brown, South Broward High School
- Christine de Zayas, Eagle Point Elementary School
- Marie Hautigan, Piper High School
Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists
- Hend Hafez, Mirror Lake Elementary School
- Shadrack Henry, Everglades High School
- Timothy Winburn, South Broward High School
School-Related Employee of the Year Finalists
- Raymond Hanna Jr., Deerfield Beach Elementary School
- Marvin Major, North Lauderdale Elementary School
- Maritza Sanchez, North Side Elementary School
- Danielle St. Leon, Hollywood Central Elementary School
- Nicole Willis, Atlantic Technical College and High School
The Caliber Awards presenting sponsor is BrightStar Credit Union. Platinum sponsors are Aetna, COMCAST and Nova Southeastern University – Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice; Gold sponsor are Broward Education Foundation and Broward Teachers Union; Silver sponsors are Broward Principals’ and Assistants’ Association, Camp Wannado, InspereX, JetBlue and PNC Bank; and Bronze sponsors are Bank of America, Deborah Bethune – Coldwell Banker Realty, Grand Canyon University, Morgan Stanley, Royal Caribbean International, Sunshine Child Programs and United Way of Broward County. Special thanks to Dr. Karlton Johnson, Publix and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
For more information about the finalists and the 2023 Caliber Awards Ceremony, visit browardschools.com/caliber-awards. Watch the live event at becon.tv/caliber.