A passionate teacher leader with 16 years of experience, Cherese Fussner inspires students to discover a love for math. Her innovative and engaging approach to teaching geometry has transformed the way students learn and experience the subject. Through creative lesson plans, hands-on activities, and a genuine enthusiasm for geometry, Fussner creates a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Her dedication and expertise have yielded remarkable results: last year, 86% of her students who began the year below grade level achieved proficiency on the B.E.S.T. Geometry End of Course Assessment. Fussner's significant contributions have played a key role in Winter Park High's impressive 97% pass rate on the Geometry EOC over the past two years. 

Danielle MacKay has been empowering deaf or hard of hearing students at Lake Sybelia Elementary for nine years. MacKay compassionately bridges communication gaps using sign language and her voice. She formerly worked in the classroom of 2018 Teacher of the Year Christina Arenth, who said MacKay is a natural teacher who excels at leading small groups, focusing on language development and guiding parents. MacKay runs a free ASL class for OCPS staff and families. Through that effort and others, she encourages parents to learn sign language to communicate with their children. That helps students experience less frustration and have fewer behavioral concerns. She also spends time tutoring and mentoring students in and outside school, and has seen students blossom with her support.

Myrlene Jackson-Kimble is a 30-year veteran educator with a proven track record of turning around underperforming schools. A master principal for both Washington Shores and Tangelo Park elementaries, Ms. Jackson-Kimble's approach of collaboration across both schools has fostered a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement. Under her leadership, Washington Shores improved from an F school grade to a B. Tangelo Park moved from a D to one point below a B. Jackson-Kimble actively works towards instilling strong and loving values in her students and leaving a positive impact on their lives. As one parent volunteer noted, "One of Mrs. Kimble’s greatest strengths is the ability to foster a positive school culture with high expectations for ALL.”

Tayler Boyer is the dedicated senior assistant principal over Colonial High School's Ninth Grade Campus. With 11 years of experience as an educator, Boyer is passionate about fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and inclusivity among teachers. Her commitment to data-driven instruction and continuous improvement helped to generate an increase of 15 percentage points in reading proficiency among the bottom quartile of ninth-graders. She also has focused on creating a safe and supportive learning environment, promoting well-being and improving classroom behavior. These efforts culminate in a student reward program taking place during “Fun Friday” lunchtime events. She is also a mentor to students, and has helped set former students on a path to success in college and beyond. 

Jessie Outing is a servant leader who is not afraid to get in the weeds to assist her team and colleagues. She is known for mentoring others to become great leaders. She is also all about innovation. She helped automate the recalculation and reappointment process, which is when schools gain and lose staff due to student counts. That streamlined a huge workload for the Human Resources Employment Services department. The changes have also been appreciated by principals throughout the district. There are many employees who call HR and only want to speak to her. That speaks volumes about her customer service and attitude.

A teacher with 11 years of experience, Hudson creates a culture of high expectations in her classroom. In addition to bringing Level 1 students up to proficiency in a single year, she has helped her students go beyond reading standards by discussing topics such as immigration, health care and climate change. She creates a welcoming environment with monthly family nights and develops deep relationships with students that last well beyond their time in her classroom. She leads the school’s Cheer Committee and plans events. And in her grade-chair role, she pushes teachers to help their students excel, increasing fifth-grade ELA scores to above the district average. She has facilitated PLCs and now hosts monthly professional development sessions. Always willing to jump in, she helped create a house system that transformed the culture at a previous school, and also helped shape district science assessments.

Besides managing finances at Evans HS, Santiago is a compassionate advocate for the leaders of tomorrow. Santiago encourages youth overcoming personal obstacles to succeed academically with pride and determination. She has gone the extra mile to reduce truancy by conducting weekly home visits and calling parents. Last year, Santiago and other staff members visited more than 1,500 families and made 1,000 phone calls. As a result of their endeavors, Evans HS saw 87% improvement in attendance and/or grades among students struggling in those areas. Over the past 7 years, Santiago has become indispensable at Evans, consulting daily with multiple colleagues to see how she can best assist – either during or beyond the workday. Santiago’s participation in OCPS’ Emerging Leaders program has provided her with strategies she uses daily. Santiago’s many accolades include a 2021 Stellar award.

A few weeks into Rebecca Watson’s first year as high school principal, Hurricane Ian flooded Riverdale Elementary. Watson opened the doors of her school to accommodate a second set of students and staff, creating “Two Rivers, One Family.” Her leadership turned a challenging situation into a positive opportunity to strengthen the culture and resiliency of her school. Watson leads by example, from doing pushups in the Red Zone on Friday night to playing UNO at lunch. She makes her employees and students feel loved and supported by participating in as many events as she can, even out of town. Watson’s schools show vast reductions in turnover and increases in measures of school climate. She pours herself into students and pushes students to succeed academically and in life.

Both at Rolling Hills ES and in her previous role as assistant principal at Riverside ES, Charisse Hurdle has helped improve pedagogical practices. She has demonstrated leadership skills and an ability to help transform low-performing, fragile schools. At Riverside, she had a key role in the school’s increase from a low D to a high C. She helped re-establish a PTA after a 16-year absence, and started a schoolwide student recognition program to increase motivation. In addition to being hands-on with students, she is a fantastic mentor to fellow assistant principals and teacher leaders, guiding them, sharing knowledge, and offering unwavering support. Hurdle, a former juvenile probation officer, also volunteers her time developing future leaders in an after-school mentoring program for girls.

When Village Park Elementary opened in 2021, Francisco Cardoza jumped right in. In his classroom, students are welcomed with a handshake and a high-five. He infuses motivational chants and songs into his daily instruction and is known for radical classroom transformations, such as turning his room into a NASCAR race track while teaching force and motion. He started the school’s National Elementary Honor Society chapter and Safety Patrol, leads a house, helps run the school’s Amazing Shake initiative – which teaches professional skills to students – and regularly tutors and mentors students. At Village Park ES, a majority of students speak Spanish. As a native Spanish-speaker and former English-language learner, Cardoza offers the same encouragement and high expectations that his own teachers had for him.

Alex Rodriguez has worked to build relationships with Spanish-speaking students at Vista Pointe Elementary since the school opened two years ago. After growing up with Spanish-speaking parents, Rodriguez is able to quickly perceive when someone needs translation assistance, and he jumps in to help. In his role as a bilingual paraprofessional, Rodriguez works with first- through fourth-grade students on foundational reading skills to ensure they are on grade level. He finds the students' dedication and hard work both inspiring and rewarding. Rodriguez performs many roles around campus, including leading the News Crew, overseeing bus dismissal, and assisting in the cafeteria. Colleagues admire his ability to manage his many duties all while maintaining a positive attitude and calm demeanor. Outside work, he is also a student in the Pathways to Teaching Program at Rollins College, a partnership with OCPS. The program has opened the door for him to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education so he can become a certified teacher. 

Robert S. Strenth is a servant leader who champions his staff and students at Prairie Lake Elementary.
His upbringing has shaped him into the educator he is today. Strenth’s mom was a single parent who didn’t finish high school. They moved frequently, so he grew up without a hometown or extended family. He also struggled with academics.
Strenth decided to become a changemaker after he graduated from high school. He pursued an education career because he wanted to be the teacher he never had as a child.
For more than 20 years, Strenth has strived to ensure all his OCPS students have a promising and successful future. He goes the extra mile by filling in for teachers, answering phone calls at the front desk and providing his assistance in the cafeteria and nurse’s office.
As a principal, Strenth has created a family atmosphere where everyone is accepted. He also has worked with Prairie Lake Elementary teachers and students to increase the school grade from a “C” to a “B” in 2022.

John R. Miller, assistant principal for instruction at Meadowbrook Middle, is a forward-thinking educator committed to student success.
He is known for his ability to develop meaningful relationships with even the most challenging students. That’s in part because he sees himself in them. As a child, he thrived despite violence and incarceration in his family. He spent many formative years in foster care. Those experiences help him quickly identify early warning indicators for at-risk students.
He has a proven record of success with OCPS, including overseeing learning growth rate gains of greater than 50% in Civics, English Language Arts and Math for English Language Learners.
A collaborator with faculty, staff, parents, students and the community, Miller is described as “relentless” and “proactive.” With a passion for supporting Title I schools and at-risk students during the pandemic, he went into the community to deliver digital devices and wi-fi hot spots to students and resources to families.
Miller’s philosophy is: “If I don’t, then who?” He uses his own background and passion for young people to give students a sense of agency and control of their own destiny, no matter their life circumstances.

Using a student-centered approach to teaching, Welch embraces the “village” of educators and health care professionals to support her students’ growth. She’s a strong believer that it takes a collective effort to build students’ nursing skills and increase their emotional intelligence. One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is seeing former students thrive in their careers at hospitals. Along with her teaching responsibilities at OTC, Welch teaches new educators best practices, provides resources and helps them build their capacity as educators.

Hamilton asserts there is nothing more inspiring than gaining the trust of children and them feeling safe, seen and heard. Working with students who have physical disabilities has taught her to be aware of their abilities and where an individual student may need academic and emotional support. Hamilton believes success breeds self-confidence and self-worth, which is one of the reasons she started a mentorship program. Her time, compassion and dedication inspired students to improve their grades and behavior to successfully complete the school year.

With experience working as an administrator at the district-level and as a principal at the school-level, Julie Helton has demonstrated academic success with elementary and secondary students for nearly 20 years. Not only has she shown great leadership with students and parents, but with her peers as well. Dr. Helton has led a variety of trainings for principals and assistant principals, while also mentoring three principals this school year. In every school she has worked in, she has been highly regarded in her handling of difficult and high-pressure situations.

To meet the needs of her school, Kenya Nelson-Warren says she works hard to remain versatile and flexible. She knows the value of effective communication and ensures it is maintained, especially during initiatives, assessments and expectations. Her principal describes her as a servant leader who represents the very best in leadership within the district. She finds creative solutions and inspires others to reach their full potential. She is the principal designee, when needed, and is trusted for her decision-making skills and collaborative abilities. She has a proven track record for increasing student achievement with a fierce determination in ensuring rich instruction and student support.

Rob Paschall is a fifth-grade teacher at West Creek Elementary and is responsible for advancing learning in scholars and impacting student achievement throughout the school. Last year, 83% of his students scored a level of proficiency on the FSA math test, and 81% demonstrated learning gains. Rob strongly believes in teaching with a sense of purpose rather than a sense of urgency. Through his outstanding teaching practices, he has guided students on their pursuit to success and has helped develop students into future leaders.

When Maria Seijo began her career with Orange County Public Schools 18 years ago, she knew she wanted to make a difference in childhood education. In her current role as senior executive assistant of the district’s Innovation Office, she is known as a dedicated professional who goes out of her way to assist and support the schools she serves. As the sole support staff member in the office, Seijo is masterful at multitasking and providing outstanding service to district and school-based staff. Among her colleagues, she is considered the “engine” that ensures school operations are running smoothly.

James Leslie is a humble, strategic and compassionate leader, who for more than 30 years, has served the students and families of Orange County Public Schools. Under his leadership, James increases academic performance and creates a strong sense of community at the schools he serves. When asked what inspires him as a principal, he shared “the ability to affect change that will impact lives in ways that I may not see, and to provide students with the power to overcome the circumstances they may be facing.”

The professional journey for Fred Ray begins with a pursuit to assist all students in achieving success while ensuring the support and involvement of families and community. Since his 2015 appointment as Assistant Principal at Carver Middle, he has placed a high value on building relationships and establishing trust among stakeholders. His ability to develop and execute plans quickly has earned him the title of “Right Now Ray.” Because of his instrumental role in improving school and student culture and increasing community trust in staff and administration, Carver Middle students have been able to perform at high levels of achievement.

Melissa Pappas currently is responsible for one of only five intensive units districtwide that serves students with severe behavioral, functional and academic needs.

Motivated by her passion for her students, this past year, Melissa launched a school-wide initiative during Autism Awareness Month. The monthlong celebration educated members of the school community and promoted acceptance, love, and understanding of persons with autism and special needs. As a result of the initiative, students began independently performing random acts of kindness, greeting and engaging with students with exceptionalities.

Melissa believes that “teaching is not only the one profession that teaches all other professions but the one profession that has the power to shape the future for all types of learners, and by advocating for our profession, we are advocating for the future: our students.”

For 10 years, Magalie Davis has wholeheartedly served the students of Robinswood Middle School. As a longtime paraprofessional, and currently as an administrative clerk, she is dedicated to ensuring the success of her students.

On any given day, you would find Magalie providing Haitian-Creole translation services for parent-teacher meetings, helping students with homework, or serving at school events as an active member of the PTSA and SAC.

Not only did Magalie devote her time to helping students (and families) with language skills, she incorporated cultural lessons as well. Magalie’s colleagues consider her a gem because of her unmatched dedication and commitment.

Being the principal of two schools is no easy feat. Yet, Anne Lynaugh has served in this capacity with a “masterful” combination of grace and grit.

As master principal of Millennia Elementary and Millennia Gardens Elementary, Anne must manage the personalities of both schools while ensuring the success of her students and developing great leaders among her staff. Anne is highly respected by her peers, which has earned her a number of distinctions, including Elementary Guidance Principal of the Year, the Elementary STEM Principal of the Year, Innovative Principal of the Year from Florida (competing now for the national award) and so much more.

When asked how she can run two schools, she shared, “My inspiration comes from the good people who work hard every day to provide the best for our students. If you think my hands are full running two schools, you should see my heart.”

As assistant principal at Meadowbrook Middle School, David Hardick is a model leader for his teachers and staff. He is often found providing on-the-spot coaching for teachers, mentoring other assistant principals and working collaboratively with district-based administrators to help improve student achievement.

When Meadowbrook’s school grade increased from a “D” to a “C,” he was an instrumental part of the leadership team that led that effort. Not only did the school experience academic gains, David led a team that helped decrease a significant number of behavioral issues, including level 4 offenses, in-school suspensions and out-of-school suspensions.

This focus on academic and behavioral excellence created the foundation needed to create the learning conditions necessary to provide optimal instruction for students.

David is passionate and works diligently to help narrow the achievement gap among underserved students.