With more than 1,600 teachers and administrators in Hernando County and an even greater number of support staff, it is indeed an honor to be chosen the best out of such a large group of dedicated individuals. Traci Athanason received that recognition as Hernando County Teacher of the Year. Donna Loughran was named School Related Employee of the Year. Both women exemplify the qualities that are important in working with students.
Mrs. Athanason, a fourth grade teacher at Spring Hill Elementary School was selected Teacher of the Year last month. Mrs. Loughran’s name was announced at a ceremony held at Silverthorn Country Club on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. The Hernando County Education Foundation (H.C.E.F.) sponsors the competition.
Among the people attending the event on Saturday were Lori Romano, Superintendent of Schools; H.C.E.F. Board members and staff; principals and teachers; school board members; and representatives of corporations that support H.C.E.F.
Any employee at a school, as well as students and parents, can nominate someone to be Teacher of the Year. The person submitting the nominee’s name lists committees the teacher serves on and awards, recognitions and other duties that the instructor performs over and above his or her job description. The nominee submits a packet of information that includes letters from the school superintendent, the principal, a co-worker and a parent. The school selection committee, consisting of administration and past winners at the school, makes the final decision on who will be chosen at the school level.
Traci Athanason, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education along with her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central Florida. She has taught for twenty-nine years, the last seven in Hernando County. Her favorite subject to teach is Writing.
Mrs. Athanason states, “The most fulfilling thing about teaching is empowering my students to take control of their own learning. Every day is a chance for me to make
a difference.”
Like any profession, teaching has its challenges.
“The most challenging thing about teaching is motivating students who have no desire to be at school. I tackle this by providing fun, engaging lessons and being their biggest cheerleader. It is my belief when a teacher can build trust and rapport, that every student can and will achieve,” Mrs. Athanason concludes.
Michael Maine, principal of Spring Hill Elementary comments, “As our fourth- grade Team Leader, Mrs. Athanason, is a problem-solver, an innovator and a dynamic mentor to multiple first year teachers on her team, helping them to build their lesson plans and develop their practice.”
Donna Loughran is the Front Desk Secretary at Fox Chapel Middle School and has been employed by the Hernando County School Board fourteen years. She was chosen from among twenty-seven school support people nominated for this honor.
According to her principal, Ray Pinder, “One of the many great things that Donna does is that she goes above and beyond. She spearheads our food drives at Christmas and
Thanksgiving. Last year, we experienced the death of one of our students. Donna organized a collection of bottle caps to create a bench in his honor from the recycled plastic. Over a ton of bottle caps were collected and processed into not just one but two benches.”
Mrs. Loughran states, “The most fulfilling part of my job would be when I am able to help students and families with academic questions and when they have needs outside of school, as well as helping new students transition seamlessly to our school. I love the smiles and hellos I receive from students and their parents.”