MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 We are kicking off our #ThankATeacher shout-outs this morning by shining a spotlight on Ms. Kimberly Anderson, a fourth-grade Gifted teacher at Crystal Lake Elementary School! "Mrs. Anderson works diligently every day to provide for the multifaceted needs and demands of her 4th-grade gifted students," CLE parent Jessica Bochenek shared. "We are so grateful for her patience, love, and support towards these kids." Thank you, Ms. Anderson, for going above and beyond for your students! #ALLINMartin👊

🩺CELEBRATING NURSING STAFF🩺 As we continue to celebrate #NationalNursesWeek, this evening, we would like to highlight Indiantown Middle School's Certified Nursing Assistant, Cynthia Vasquez! "Cynthia is proficient and well-versed to the many needs of her students," the Martin County School District Health Services Team shared. "She provides exceptional care to every student, every time. We are happy to have Cynthia as part of our nursing team at the MCSD!" Thank you, Cynthia, for everything you do to take care of students! #ALLINMartin👊

🎓SCHOLARSHIP SURPRISE🎓 Martin County School District Superintendent Michael Maine recently surprised an extraordinary graduating senior from Jensen Beach High School with a scholarship! In partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Plans, Mr. Maine awarded Juan Torres the Inaugural Superintendent Scholarship, valued at approximately $8,000. Juan enrolled at JBHS from Venezuela in February of his freshman year. He did not speak any English at that time. He now speaks English fluently and credits that accomplishment to his decision to attend in-person classes when they were offered throughout the pandemic. Juan has incredible work ethic and hasn't let anything get in his way of achieving his dreams. He plans to attend Indian River State College and study Financial Accounting, hoping to one day open a business of his own in America. Congratulations, Juan! Watch the surprise announcement here: https://youtu.be/pxlwvjpFbF0 #ALLINMartin👊

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 This afternoon, we have a very special appreciation shoutout for first-grade teacher Ms. Jackie Davis at Port Salerno Elementary School! "Mrs. Davis shares her heart with her students," grateful Martin County School Board Member Amy Pritchett shared. "The love and caring that she provides while teaching them is evident at all times. Her smile lights them up as well as her personality. She does the little things to make sure the students know how special they are. She welcomes them into the classroom with a big hearty good morning and the students respond in kind. The students and Martin County are so fortunate to have Mrs. Davis!" Thank you, Ms. Davis, for everything you do for your students! #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

📚BOOK OF THE MONTH📚 Florida Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. just announced his picks for Commissioner’s Book of the Month for May! Commissioner’s Book of the Month is a monthly reading challenge to promote literacy and reading engagement in K-12 schools. Books of the Month for May: 📙Pre-K: "I See Summer" by Charles Ghigna 📕Grades K-2: "The Little Butterfly That Could" by Ross Burach 📗Grades 3-5: "Charlie & Frog" by Karen Kane 📘Grades 6-8: "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank 📙Grades 9-12: "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhhà Lai #ALLINMartin👊

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 This afternoon, we are spotlighting Ms. Pam Root, an Exceptional Student Education Support Teacher at Felix A. Williams Elementary! "Pam is far more than an ESE Support teacher," grateful colleague Carissa Berkely shared. "She is someone that I go to for advice when I need help finding a resource to help a student. Pam comes into my classroom to 'support' for math, and most of the time, we truly 'co- teach,' or I love when she fully teaches the math lesson because she already knows how to explain it several ways so that ALL of the kids understand it." "I am proud of her for always being ready for the IEP meetings, has a great rapport with the parents and really KNOWS the IEP goals, laws and strategies that work best for the students," Ms. Berkley continued. "During the IEP meetings, the parents really appreciate how she breaks down the "lingo" and explains every section/step of the IEP. I love having her in the classroom and believe that she wears many hats and has done an exceptional job switching those hats whenever we need her to help. ALL of the students look forward to her coming in to the classroom and she works with ALL of the kids, and never views certain ones as "her kids." She is able to offer support to the students who need things explained a different way AND can enrich those students who need the extra push for math beyond the standards. Pam is always someone that the students, teachers and parents can rely on to go the extra mile." Thank you, Ms. Root, for going the extra mile for students! #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

🎓TIMELESS TRADITION🎓 Young students look up and see their future. Graduating seniors look down and see how far they've come. Teachers and school staff see how their lessons and patience made a difference. That's what this timeless tradition of our graduation walk is all about! It's amazing to see these Martin County High School seniors reconnect with The Pinewood Elementary family! #ALLINMartin👊

🩺CELEBRATING NURSING STAFF🩺 As we continue to celebrate #NationalNursesWeek, we would like to highlight Port Salerno Elementary School's Nurse, Ivonne Irey! "Ivonne goes above and beyond for her students; she is highly motivated, dependable and incredibly caring," the Martin County School District Health Services Team shared. "We are lucky to have Ivonne as part of our nursing team at MCSD!" Thank you, Ivonne, for your compassion and dedication to our students! #ALLINMartin👊

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 A big teacher appreciation shout-out goes to Ms. Lauren Rahgozar, a third-grade teacher at Warfield Elementary School! "Lauren is my rock. We began our teaching careers the same year," grateful colleage Samantha Kerr shared. "We were both unsure of every step we took, but we always took them together. She has kept me going on days when I wasn't sure if I could. She inspires me to be a better teacher and person. Without her support, I would not be a teacher today. I will forever be grateful for her friendship. ❤️" Thank you, Ms. Rahgozar, for everything you do for your students and colleagues! #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

🎓TIMELESS TRADITION🎓 Superintendent Maine participated in Martin County High School's Class of 2023 Graduate Walk at Palm City Elementary School this morning. Our graduate walks are much-anticipated annual traditions for graduating seniors- they visit the elementary school they attended as young children, greeting their former teachers and inspiring the current elementary students to keep working hard in school and pursuing their dreams. It's a full circle moment 🎓🎉 #ALLINMartin👊

🎓#MCSDSENIORSTORIES🎓 This morning, we are shining a spotlight on Jensen Beach High School senior Xandie Ken Fajardo! "I love all the teachers and administrators, especially Ms. Dictor and Ms. Nieves, for helping me pass the English test," Xandie shared. "Thank you so much. Go Falcons!!" Xandie plans to attend IRSC - Indian River State College and study Architecture. She later hopes to transfer to Florida Atlantic University to continue her studies. 🎉Congratulations, Xandie! 🎉 We are so proud of you! To share your senior story or a story about a loved one, please visit http://bit.ly/3KUigJ7 #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 This morning, we are continuing our Teacher Appreciation shoutouts, starting with Martin County High School's Don McKindles! "I want to give a huge shout out to Don McKindles at Martin County High School," grateful parent Julie Marshall shared. "Both of my kids had Mr. McKindles while he was teaching at South Fork High School. They would come home every day filling us in on the stories he would tell which were often hilarious. In these stories, I realized that he was not only teaching them and the other students the academic curriculum, but he was also teaching them life lessons. Lessons that they will carry with them for a lifetime. What an invaluable gift!!" "The impact Mr. McKindles has had on so many students’ lives is incredible," Julie continued. "It is one of the reasons he was once voted the 'Teacher Most Likely to Have a Student’s Back.' His loss is still felt at South Fork, but I'm happy knowing that the MCHS students now have him as a teacher. Thank you again, Mr. McKindles, for everything you taught my kids and for all the laughs!" Thank you, Mr. McKindles, for going above and beyond for your students! If you would like to send a teacher shoutout, please visit: https://bit.ly/ThankATeacherMCSD #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

🩺CELEBRATING NURSING STAFF🩺 This morning, we are continuing to highlight our amazing school nurses for #NationalNursesWeek, starting with Stuart Middle School's Certified Nursing Assistant, Luz Suarez! "Luz is passionate about her care and treatment of the students and staff," the Martin County School District Health Services Team shared. "She shows compassion and empathy while maintaining remarkably high standards in her care." Thank you, Luz, for being part of the MCSD Team! #ALLINMartin👊

🎓#MCSDSENIORSTORIES🎓 This evening, we are shining a spotlight on Jensen Beach High School senior Paige Zangara! "Paige was a part of Jubilate for the last four years and is also graduating from the nursing program, earning her CNA license," proud parent Shannon shared. "Congratulations Paige! We are so proud of you!" Paige plans to attend Florida State University and major in Biology. 🎉Congratulations, Paige! 🎉 We are so proud of you! To share your senior story or a story about a loved one, please visit http://bit.ly/3KUigJ7 #ALLINMartin👊 #PublicSchoolProud

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 This afternoon, we are giving a shoutout of appreciation to second-grade teacher Ms. Amy Belowch from Palm City Elementary School! "Mrs. Belowch genuinely loves her job and these kids," grateful parent Nariza Bennett shared. "Her love for teaching and her warm and caring demeanor shines through to the kids and the parents. My daughter loves being in her class and we love knowing each day she is in such good hands! Thank you Mrs. Belowch!" Thank you, Ms. Belowch, for everything you do for your students! If you would like to send a teacher shoutout, please visit: https://bit.ly/ThankATeacherMCSD #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 As we continue our #TeacherAppreciation shoutouts this afternoon, we are spotlighting third-grade teacher Ms. Nicole Beasley from Bessey Creek Elementary School! "My son absolutely loves her," grateful parent Diana Velez shared. "She’s very patient with him and the rest of the class; she’s understanding and communicates with me regarding my son's progress in class. She’s always greeting the kids at the door in the morning when they come in and, from what I’ve seen, has made special connections with them. She knows what she’s doing and makes the kids feel safe and at home!" Thank you, Ms. Beasley, for everything you do for your students! If you would like to send a teacher shoutout, please visit: https://bit.ly/ThankATeacherMCSD #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

🩺CELEBRATING NURSING STAFF🩺 In honor of #NationalNursesWeek, this afternoon, we are celebrating Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School's Certified Nursing Assistant, Georgia Foster! "Georgia is very professional, compassionate and genuine in the care and treatment of all students and staff. She is an asset and we are so lucky to have her as part of our nursing team," the Martin County School District Health Services Team shared. Thank you, Georgia, for being an exceptional CNA to our students! #ALLINMartin👊

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 This afternoon, we are spotlighting Mr. Richard Acosta from The Pinewood Elementary! "Mr. Acosta has gone above and beyond to help my son flourish," grateful parent Lindsey Hill shared. "He is an amazing educator that displays professionalism and patience consistently. His hard work does not go unnoticed by my son and I!" Thank you, Mr. Acosta, for going above and beyond for your students! If you would like to send a teacher shoutout, please visit: https://bit.ly/ThankATeacherMCSD #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 This morning, we are spotlighting Ms. Erin Savett, Ms. Maria Baker, Mr. Bruce Reid and Mr. Michael Theisen from Hidden Oaks Middle School! "My son absolutely loves the teachers and all the support they have provided to him throughout the year," grateful parent Petrona shared. "My son was sick for almost two weeks and had to stay out of school. These teachers gave him ample time to make up his work. My son enjoys going to their classroom each day and that speaks volumes!" Thank you, Ms. Savett, Ms. Baker, Mr. Reid and Mr. Theisen, for all you do for your students! If you would like to send a teacher shoutout, please visit: https://bit.ly/ThankATeacherMCSD #ALLINMartin👊 #ThankATeacher

🍎SHOWING APPRECIATION🍎 Yesterday, Martin County School District Superintendent Michael Maine, Executive Director of Exceptional Student Education Lisa Estevez, and Executive Director of Principals and Professional Standards Troy LaBarbara attended Riverbend Academy’s Staff & Volunteer appreciation luncheon. We appreciate our Riverbend team's dedication and commitment to the success of some of our most vulnerable students! #ALLINMartin👊