2015 Teacher and Support Staff Person of the Year
Earlier this month, FLVS President and CEO Ronald Blocker announced our new FLVS Teacher of the Year and recognized our School-Related Employee of the Year.
The 2015-16 Macy’s Teacher of the Year for FLVS is Spanish teacher Ms. Caroline Jacobson. Jacobson currently teaches Spanish 2 and 3 and is helping to develop our new Spanish 4 course that will roll out in the Spring.
Suzette Soldate, Human Resources Executive Assistant, is our 2015 School-Related Employee of the Year. Soldate has been with FLVS for three years and serves the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Director of Talent Management.
Both categories had highly qualified and talented nominees. Jacobson and Soldate will now move on to compete against their peers from school districts across the state for recognition as the Florida Teacher of the Year and Florida School-Related Employee of the Year.
Prior to joining FLVS, Ms. Jacobson taught in Orange County for five years. She began at an at-risk school and credits her experience there with helping her to become the Spanish instructor she is today. Jacobson has been instrumental in offering Spanish 3 and 4 to our students and her involvement in the development of these two courses demonstrates her desire to continue to offer authentic opportunities that meet students’ needs. Jacobson is a lifelong learner, frequently quoting TED talks and Edutopia. She is constantly striving to grow as a professional. She has participated in the Voice of the Student survey focus group, was a facilitator for the Florida Higher Standards initiative, and is a Lesson Study facilitator. Jacobson is passionate about ensuring that parents are involved in every aspect of the student’s life and really believes it “takes a village.”
Jacobson tells us, “I am truly humbled and grateful to represent our amazing teachers as the Florida Virtual School Teacher of the Year. Every day, we have the privilege to make an everlasting impact on our students’ lives. I am grateful for this incredible opportunity to represent our remarkable teachers as we work together to instill a true love of learning in all of our students.”
Suzette Soldate, Executive Assistant for FLVS, never backs down from a challenge and strives to always provide the best customer service possible. She has been with FLVS for three years and serves the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Director of Talent Management. When asked how she felt about being considered for this honor, Soldate replied: “When I was a young girl, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up; all I knew was that I wanted to help people and make the world a better place. Working at FLVS allows me to do just that. I’ve heard directly from parents about the positive impact FLVS has had not only on their children, but on their entire families. We are really changing lives here at FLVS by offering an alternate means of education to students. I feel that I am right where I’m meant to be, and I could not be more proud to be considered for an award for doing what I love.”
Congratulations to Spanish teacher Caroline Jacobson and Human Resources Executive Assistant Suzette Soldate!
Resources
Image Credit: National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program
