Teacher-of-the-Year accolades are piling up for Northwestern Middle School reading teacher AprylShackelford.
Not only is Ms. Shack (as her students call her) Northwestern's Teacher of the Year, she's also Duval County's Teacher of the Year. And today she found out from Florida Chancellor of Education, Pam Stewart, that she's one of five finalists for the state Teacher of the Year title.
"There are roughly 180,000 school teachers in the state of Florida, and every school district selects one Teacher of the Year," says Stewart. "And from those 74, we select five finalists. So Ms. Shackelford is one of five out of 180,000 teachers."
The Teach of the Year program, Stewart says, recognizes teachers for the heroes they are.
Duval County School Board member Paula Wright, whose district includes Northwestern Middle, is ecstatic about the choice of Ms. Shackelford as a finalist for Teacher of the Year.
"I've been told there have only been four other Duval County teachers who have become a finalist for the state. So that's awesome. But, more importantly, it's not just what she does in the classroom academically, it's her life and her story. And it's testament to many of the students who are facing the same challenges that they, too, can achieve."
The five finalists will be judged on a number of things including how well they do in their classrooms, how dedicated they are to their students and how much they've accomplished in their careers.
Shackelford could have a lock on that last part. Once an unmarried teen mother and high school drop-out, Ms. Shack expects to receive her PhD in 2015.
As for competing for the state Teacher of the Year title, Shack says she's "very nervous. Nervous, excited but at the same time humbled. Humbled because it's so many that deserve to be in this spot. And that doesn't go unnoticed."
Apryl Shackelford received a $5,000 check, and a $500 gift certificate from Macy's for being one of the five state finalists. Her school, Northwestern Middle, received a check for $1,000.
Florida's 2014 Teacher of the Year will be announced this summer.
Check out the video of the announcement below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pohzsfFY9s&feature=youtu.be
