TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon County Schools has announced its Teacher of the Year for 2016 - 2017 school year.
Jessica Hooker, a third grade teacher at Springwood Elementary, has been announced as the winner. She has worked at the school all eight years of her teaching career.
She was surprised with the news around 10 a.m. at her school.
“Mrs. Hooker is a hard worker who is dedicated to performing and perfecting her craft as an educator,” said Springwood Principal Dr. Christopher Small. “From day one, she has proven to have the best interest of the students at the heart of all that she does. The Springwood community is incredibly proud of Jessica, she is beyond deserving of this recognition.”
The FSU grad currently teaches science and math and is credited with developing a school-wide mentoring program, is vital part of the Springwood AVID leadership, and is a part of the Assistant Principal Preparation Program.
For the first time, the Teacher of the Year was gifted with a brand new car. Hooker will also receive various awards and recognition from Envision Credit Union, Herf Jones, Awards4u and other community sponsors.
“Teachers like Mrs. Hooker are incredibly powerful role models for our students, staff and community. I am proud to recognize her as the district teacher of the year as she is a wonderful representative of the core values and mission of our schools,” said Superintendent Rocky Hanna.
Hooker was selected by a committee of past teacher of the year finalists, a school board representative, and Leon county school district administrators.
She is now eligible to compete in the state wide Macy's/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year program.
"I'm just very thankful, very appreciative. I congratulated the other four finalists. They were tough to go up against, veteran teachers that I know and am aware of their reputation and what great impacts they have had on our county," said Hooker. "To be standing here is very humbling and I don't take it lightly. I'm just appreciative of the opportunity."
