1. education
2. school

These five employees have won critical acclaim with colleagues, parents and students alike,
winning the finalist award for Orange County’s 2007 Support Person of the Year.
WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST
Sharri Antoniazzi
Augustus Ross
Paraprofessional, Ventura Elementary
Custodial Crew Leader, Washington Shores Elementary
A five-year veteran to the Ventura stage, in addition to her supporting role in all physical education activities, Antoniazzi has had starring roles in the school’s productions of “Jump Rope for Heart,”
the “Walk Your Child to School” event and numerous community
service projects including Habitat for Humanity and Special
Olympics.
Though predominantly known for his exemplary performance in
his custodial leadership role, Ross is also known for his talent as a
culinary artist and accomplished cartoonist. His other roles
include volunteering on Saturday mornings in the Math/Literacy
Club, providing the set design for school programs and serving as
a mentor in the “Adopt a Student” program.
Betty Jack
Tawn Tooks
Technology Support, Bay Meadows Elementary
School Clerk, Freedom High
Recognized for her knowledge and technical expertise, Jack also
plays a major role in organizing the student Technology Team that
assists teachers with their technology needs. She is the survivor of a
challenging transition during her school’s “swing school” status in
the two-year production of “From Bay Meadows to Sand Lake and
Back.”
Mostly appearing on the front line to handle safety and discipline issues in her role as the dean’s receptionist, Tooks is wellknown for identifying student needs and volunteering to fill
those needs. She has won critical acclaim as a member of the
Student Assistance and Family Empowerment team and sponsor
of Freedom’s competitive STEP team.
Richard Rogers
Technology Support, Hunter’s Creek Middle
Rogers, a relative newcomer to the OCPS scene, made his debut
to the HCM stage in 2005 after retiring from an award-winning
run with AT&T. Words like “consummate professional,” “solution
provider” and “infectiously positive” have worked their way into
the reviews on his performance as the school’s expert in communications and technology.
PAGE 2
ORANGE PEAL
Orange County Public Schools was awarded five federal/state grants totaling more than $6 million during
the first quarter of this fiscal year.
The Orange County Association of Educational
Media recognized two outstanding media specialists
and two principals for the support of their schools’
media programs during its Annual Principals
Breakfast held recently. Honored as the Distinguished
Principals of the Year were Brenda Martin-Smith,
Rock Lake Elementary, and Todd Trimble, Legacy
Middle. Receiving the awards for Outstanding Media
Programs of the Year were Lorri Fletcher from
Andover Elementary and Mary Aitchison from Oak
Ridge High.
The United States Department of Homeland Security
recognized the district’s preparation and recovery
efforts with the three hurricanes that affected Central
Florida in 2004 by posting the district’s “Lessons
Learned” information on its Information Sharing
online network. The special media presentation was
created and produced by Security Services.
Hunter’s Creek Middle was recently named the “Cool
School of the Week” by Fox News for having the most
school spirit.
Orlando Tech dual enrollment students, under the
direction of television production instructor Jeremiah
Baumbach, won a Crystal Reel award from the
Florida Motion Picture and Television Association
award for the show “Varsity” that they directed and
produced.
Lisa Bliss, director of Student Services for Ocoee
High, was recently in Washington, D.C., to participate in the College Board’s National Office for
School Counselor Advocacy and Government
Relations symposium. Participants helped develop a
set of policy recommendations that address the
school counselor’s role in supporting academic
school success.
OCPS Chief of Staff Barbara Jenkins is one of
17 business executives, senior military leaders and
career educators nationwide to graduate from the
2006 Broad Superintendents Academy. The Academy is
a 10-month executive management program to train
top executives to lead urban public school systems.
Fine Arts Coordinator Carolyn Minear has been
named Leader of the Year by the Florida Music
Educators’ Association.
Glenridge Middle received a $4,000 Mayor’s
Partnership Educational Grant from the City of
Orlando to fund an initiative called H.E.A.L.T.H.H.
(Helping Educate Adolescents Learn Teachable
Healthy Habits). The grant will fund before- and
after-school healthy physical activities and provide
incentives for students who participate.
The Ocoee High Dance Department, under the direction of Kimberly Keck, has been approved to have a
chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts
at its school. Ocoee joins eight other schools in the
state with a chapter of NHSDA and is the only nonmagnet public school in Orange County to receive
this special designation.
The Orange Peal is a newsletter for and about the employees of
the Orange County Public Schools.
Correspondence may be sent through the courier system to
Orange Peal editors, Employee Communications, ELC 9th
floor, by fax at 407.317.3353, or by e-mail at
[email protected] or [email protected].
Editor: Stephanie Wright
Graphic Artist: Kim Boulnois
Printer: Baker Press
The School Board of Orange County, Florida does not discriminate in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on
the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability or any other reason prohibited by law. The Equal Opportunity supervisor
responsible for compliance is Patricia Brown, Labor Relations, and she may be
contacted at the Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street,
Orlando, Florida 32801, 407.317.3322.
More than 650 “Book Worms”
came out to watch Deerwood
Elementary Principal
Margarete Talbert-Irving
and 13 reluctant
teachers eat wormburgers as part of
an eight-week
challenge to get
students to read
6,000 books. As
the students
chanted “Eat
More Worms,
Eat More
Worms” in the
background, the
teachers and principal
dined on a concoction
of caramelized onions, egg,
bread and red worms prepared
by Chef James Katurakes of the
Orange County Convention Center and
father of a Deerwood fifth grader. Superintendent
Ronald Blocker and East Area Superintendent John Edwards,
pictured above, cheered the group on with Edwards even eating the first worm.
“The idea was inspired from the movie ‘How to Eat Fried
Worms’ and the response from the students was phenomenal,’ said Media Specialist Jody Pomeroy. ‘It seems the more
disgusting the challenge the harder the
students work.”
From left, Deerwood Elementary teachers Charles
Lindlaugh, LaDonna Johnson, Damian Lue Pann and
Sherry Holmes fulfill their part of the bargain that they
made in a reading challenge to entice students to read
6,000 books. The teachers agreed to eat wormburgers
in the school’s first, and probably the last, Worm Feast.
Nominees
ELEMENTARY
Renae Medley-Powell
Aloma Elementary
Sara Knox
Andover Elementary
Omar Aponte
Apopka Elementary
Maria Rodriguez
Arbor Ridge School
Carol Winzig
Audubon Park Elementary
Tawny Cuevas
Avalon Elementary
Yolanda Garcia
Azalea Park Elementary
Betty Ann Jack
Bay Meadows Elementary
Sarah Beaver
Blankner School
Elizabeth Lockey
Bonneville Elementary
Lori Wilder-Dalesandro
Brookshire Elementary
David Rodriguez
Camelot Elementary
Mary Barnes
Castle Creek Elementary
Tywanna Johnson
Catalina Elementary
Michael Allison
Cheney Elementary
Irma Perez
Chickasaw Elementary
Sarah Bowling
Citrus Elementary
Lena Rigdon
Clarcona Elementary
Melanie Brown
Clay Springs Elementary
Mary Ann Mann
Columbia Elementary
Kim Galatowitsch
Conway Elementary
Devora Roman
Cypress Park Elementary
Waleska Colon
Cypress Springs Elementary
Deana Gardetz
Deerwood Elementary
Joanne Taylor
Dommerich Elementary
Gladys Limon
Dover Shores Elementary
Donna Justice
Dr. Phillips Elementary
Deborah D'Arville
Dream Lake Elementary
Antonietta Tanesco
Durrance Elementary
Regina Marity
Eagle's Nest Elementary
Myriam Owens
East Lake Elementary
Paula Jefferson
Eccleston Elementary
Shirley Marquez
Endeavor Elementary
Jannette Perez
Engelwood Elementary
Jill Sommer
Fern Creek Elementary
Jennifer Kiehm-Rucker
Frangus Elementary
Yolanda Rivera
Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center
Joaquin Melendez
Hidden Oaks Elementary
Dorothy Wilks
Hillcrest Elementary
Jerry Quinn
Hungerford Elementary
Noemi Nieves
Hunter's Creek Elementary
Litizia Williams
Ivey Lane Elementary
Genoveva Arana
John Young Elementary
Jonah Egolf
Kaley Elementary
Shirley Jeane Avant
Killarney Elementary
Angela Gallego
Lake Como Elementary
Lisa Barrow
Lake Gem Elementary
Jasmin Suarez-Cordero
Lake George Elementary
Lora Burnett
Lake Silver Elementary
Rosanne Seward
Lake Sybelia Elementary
Gricelda Carpintero
Lake Weston Elementary
Jacqueline Housego
Lake Whitney Elementary
Marta Lugo
Lakemont Elementary
Sheila Lynn Riel
Lakeville Elementary
Silvia Gonzalez
Lancaster Elementary
Alexander Carrillo
Lawton Chiles Elementary
Vickie Hodge
Lockhart Elementary
Luz Aquino
Lovell Elementary
PAGE 7
Elizabeth Ortiz Rivera
Maxey Elementary
Robbie Roberson
McCoy Elementary
Reinaldo Cartagena
Meadow Woods Elementary
Linda Fenner
MetroWest Elementary
Yvette Scott
Mollie Ray Elementary
Sonia Loretta Padilla
NorthLake Park Community School
Donna Quintana
Oak Hill Elementary
Nora Mahesse
Oakshire Elementary
Gloria J. Anthony
Orange Center Elementary
Janet Blount
Orlo Vista Elementary
Aisha Elkhatib
Palm Lake Elementary
Julie Vo
Palmetto Elementary
Linda Owens
Pershing Elementary
Claudia M. Gomez
Pinar Elementary
Tracy Harvin Thompson
Pine Castle Elementary
Teresa Warren
Pine Hills Elementary
JoAnn Reali
Pineloch Elementary
Kenneth Scott
Pinewood Elementary
Beverly Shaw
Princeton Elementary
Nicholas Kastrinos
Richmond Heights Elementary
Dan McGee
Ridgewood Park Elementary
Juliette Palasi
Riverdale Elementary
Sonia Padilla
Riverside Elementary
Dorothy Thomas Pryor
Rock Lake Elementary
Vivian Jones
Rolling Hills Elementary
Betty Bournes
Rosemont Elementary
Yvonne Harper
Sadler Elementary
Krishmattie Beni
Sand Lake Elementary
Christine Lindine
Shenandoah Elementary
Ann Jerelds
Shingle Creek Elementary
Debra Strack
Southwood Elementary
Jerri Mohr
Spring Lake Elementary
Melani Menke
Stone Lakes Elementary
Doreen Sullivan
Sunrise Elementary
Anna Mitchell
Tangelo Park Elementary
Ray Cox
Thornebrooke Elementary
Barbara Robertson
Tildenville Elementary
Barbara Wooden
Union Park Elementary
Sharri Antoniazzi
Ventura Elementary
John Marmolejo
Vista Lakes Elementary
Augustus Ross
Washington Shores Elementary
Christopher Jones
Waterbridge Elementary
Tammy Rudolph
Waterford Elementary
Odalys Rodriguez
West Creek Elementary
Wilfredo Olmeda-Velez
West Oaks Elementary
Nerida Hernandez
Wheatley Elementary
Sandra Loflin
Whispering Oak Elementary
Aroon Acharekar
Windermere Elementary
Sarah Wyatt
Windy Ridge School
Elizabeth Heard
Winegard Elementary
Phillip Brown
Wolf Lake Elementary
Janie Johnson
Wyndham Lakes Elementary
Carol Womack
Zellwood Elementary
MIDDLE
Ana Acevedo
Apopka Middle
Karen Haas
Avalon Middle
Cherie Hayes
Chain of Lakes Middle
Maryann Mercado
Conway Middle
Sandra Davis
Corner Lake Middle
Alphonso Gardner
Discovery Middle
Rafaela Barreto-Vega
Freedom Middle
Joseph Wilder
Glenridge Middle
Teresa Burnett
Gotha Middle
Marcia Gerber
Howard Middle
Richard Rogers
Hunter's Creek Middle
Maria Fata
Lakeview Middle
Sarah Fallings
Lee Middle
Gustavo Rodriguez
Legacy Middle
Jill Woodham
Lockhart Middle
Luis Concepcion
Maitland Middle
Donna Kennedy
Meadowbrook Middle
Shwyett Randolph
Memorial Middle
Paula Buchanan
Ocoee Middle
Glenda Poitevint
Odyssey Middle
Nancy Edwards Brumbaugh
Piedmont Lakes Middle
Ana Colon-Sosa
South Creek Middle
Debbie Douglas
Southwest Middle
Zulma Trouche
Stonewall Jackson Middle
Miriam Tesch
Union Park Middle
Amarilys Feliciano
Walker Middle
Marilyn Ramos
Westridge Middle
Barbara Brummitt
Wolf Lake Middle
ORANGE PEAL
Tracy Barrington
Apopka High
Cheryl Pleicones
Boone High
Earl Owens
Colonial 9th Grade Center
Guario Rodriguez
Colonial High
Mary Propes
Cypress Creek High
Mary Jo Camilli
Dr. Phillips High
Amparo Calder
Dr. Phillips High North Campus
Sharon Hicks
Edgewater High
Michelle Premo
Evans 9th Grade Center
Barbara Ramson
Evans High
Tawn Tooks
Freedom High
Juanetta Jones
Jones High
Fidel Cuya
Oak Ridge High
Linda Blood
Ocoee High
Cheryl Clark
Olympia High
Deborah Neiberger
Robert Hungerford Prep High
Twyla Marlow
Timber Creek High
Sherry Tough
University High
Phyllis Boston
West Orange High
Eric Close
Winter Park High
EXCEPTIONAL/
ALTERNATIVE
Carmen Marcano
Cherokee School
Gladys Carrion-Diaz
Hospital/Homebound
Belen Aponte
Magnolia School
Elizabeth Morales Padilla
Alternative Education Schools
TECHNICAL AND
ADULT EDUCATION
Angela Daigle
Orlando Tech
Floyd Palmer
Westside Tech
Lorrine Bowman
Winter Park Tech
Carolyn Marshall
Mid Florida Tech
Lula Cannon
Transition Ed ACE Center
DISTRICT
Jeannette del Pozo
Community Resources
Debra Rivera
Multilingual Student Education
Jacqueline Brown
Operations & Maintenance
LEARNING
COMMUNITIES
HIGH
Judith Kruger
Central Learning Community
Indra Persad
North Area Learning Community
Ramona Garo
West Area Learning Community
Renee Skipper
Apopka 9th Grade Center
Finalists
PAGE 8
ORANGE PEAL
Elementary
IN SEARCH OF MOTHER GOOSE… Students in prekindergarten and kindergarten
classes at Catalina encountered Mother Goose in the Media Center recently and amazingly she looked a lot like Principal Mary Lee. Ms. Goose was a special guest along with
other storytellers who shared their favorite books with the students.
LETTING THEIR VOICES BE HEARD… Fourth- and fifth-grade students at
Dommerich exercised their right to vote in a mock election that mirrored the real thing
as part of the Kids Vote USA program. Earlier students had registered to vote and
brought their “voter’s registration” to give to the student poll workers in order to
receive their official ballot and “I Voted” sticker.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT… Eagle’s Nest Guidance Counselor Jennifer Doig has come up
with a way to reward students for good behavior. Doig created the program, “Caught
Beeing Cool,” where teachers fill out slips on students they see going out of their way to
do something “cool” to help others. The names of the students are then read on the
school’s morning announcements by Doig who dresses up as a big yellow bumblebee to
help get the point across. Students are then eligible to be entered into a drawing to win
two bikes at the end of the year.
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT… Former Secretary of State Glenda Hood visited
Hiawassee recently to speak to students on the Learning for Life Character Education
Program. Hood made a guest appearance on the morning announcement news program and discussed the importance of citizenship.
NOW APPEARING ON THE SMALL SCREEN… Oak Hill science students are starring in
two videos that they produced as part of their Science Lab. The videos feature the students
explaining and demonstrating their science projects.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE… Ventura hosted a 1950’s dance to benefit the Make A Wish
Foundation. The event featured performances by the Extended Day Dance Team and the school
chorus and raised $500 for the non-profit organization, which raises money to grant wishes for
children suffering with terminal illnesses.
Middle
SPECIAL DELIVERY… Two recent graduates from historically black colleges and universities
were at Howard to donate $1,000 worth of school supplies as part of the Ford Black College
Road Trip sponsored by the Ford Motor Company. The guests also spoke to students on the
importance of a good education.
WILL WORK FOR PIE… The students at Hunter's Creek proved they will work hard for pie,
especially if it's being thrown in the faces of their administrators. It all started as a fundraising
challenge. The administrative staff promised the students that if they raised more money than
the top school from a neighboring county, students could throw pies in their faces during each
of the four lunch shifts.
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