TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - A local middle school teacher is one of four educators from around the sunshine state, to be recognized by Governor Rick Scott with the Governor's Shine Award.
Betsy Penn, who teaches gifted and advanced sixth grade math at Deerlake Middle School, was presented the award during a cabinet meeting Tuesday morning.
In addition to this honor, she is currently the Leon County Schools Teacher of the Year.
In her 15 years of teaching, she's maintained an important goal for her classroom: "The most important thing is when students walk into the class room I want them to remember how they feel when they leave, and I know that I'm going to teach them a wealth of knowledge, but they are going to remember how I made them feel and I want them to feel comfortable to make mistakes. I want them to feel comfortable to succeed and take risks. I want them to feel like they can achieve whatever they want to when they're in my classroom."
In addition to helping her students succeed at Deerlake Middle, Penn also works with the Florida LEAD Teacher Network, which provides professional development for Florida teachers.
