Matt Yount Takes Teacher of the Year Honors

Brevard Public Schools Teacher of the Year

Matthew Yount of Atlantis Elementary Wins Teacher of the Year

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Matt Yount was named 2014 Teacher of the Year among six Brevard public school teachers who were selected as finalists.

Yount was honored this evening during an award gala at the King Center.

Employed by the district since 2008, Matthew Yount currently teaches math to fifth and sixth grade students at Atlantis Elementary.

Yount earned a Master of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Education from the University of Central Florida.

He served as the educational coordinator at Country Acres Children’s Home for six years.

In 2012, Yount was a nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, and Hidden Potentials Star Award Nominee in 2009. He is also a CET certified mentor teacher.

CHOSEN BY COMMITTEE

The 2014 Brevard Public Schools Teacher of the Year is chosen by a committee composed of education and civic leaders in the formal selection process. The winner will be Brevard’s representative in the state’s 2014-15 Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year.

“These outstanding teachers are wonderful representatives of the determined and inspired work taking place in Brevard’s classrooms every day,” said Brian Binggeli, BPS superintendent. “Our organization is highly regarded because of the teachers whose commitment and skill provide students with incredible learning opportunities.”

THE FINALIST WERE: Heidi Targee, Stone Middle; Stephania Kahler, Port Malabar Elementary; Matthew Yount, Atlantis Elementary; Carmella Chinaris, Space Coast Jr./Sr. High; Wesley Herold, Quest Elementary, and Frank Stockman, John F. Kennedy Middle.

These individuals were selected from among the 89 district Teacher of the Year nominees by a panel of judges comprised of principals and teachers from the north, central and south areas.

Finalists were measured against a rigorous set of criteria that include teaching philosophy and practice, leadership, professional development and parental engagement in the learning process.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Carmella Chinaris: Space Coast Jr./Sr. High

At Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School Carmella Chinaris teaches Language Arts and AP English.  Chinaris holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology and graduated from Florida State University.

She is a district CRISS, Six Traits and BEST trainer and sponsors the schools National Honor Society. Focusing on Best Practices in Education, Chinaris’ expectations include in-depth studies, simulations, role playing, making connections with various disciplines, brainstorming, cooperative learning, debates and use of critical thinking questions.

Wesley Herold: Quest Elementary

Employed with the district for nine years, Wesley Harold has been teaching sixth grade at Quest Elementary for the last four. Herold leads the way at Quest in the use of technology by students to create projects and products for high level instruction.

He serves as a thinking maps trainer, PLC coach, grade level representative, member of the iPad integration committee, as well as Quest’s School Advisory chairman. Herold holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from University of Florida and a professional teaching certificate in Elem. Ed. K-6.

Stefania Kahler: Port Malabar Elementary

As an educator for the past 14 years, Stefania Kahler inspires the love of learning to students at Port Malabar Elementary in her position as Title I teacher and coordinator.  She models instructional strategies, provides materials and resources to teachers and parents, designs and presents professional growth activities, and mentors teachers in all grade levels.

Kahler graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a master’s in educational leadership from Walden University.  She hopes to represent her position as someone who has not lost the fun and magic of teaching children.

Frank Stockman: John F. Kennedy Middle

Frank Stockman is an active member of school community at Kennedy Middle where he has taught social studies since 2005. Stockman sponsors the Student Council, is a team leader, coaches Future Problem Solvers, serves as Service Learning coordinator for the Cambridge Program, is the sponsor and organizer for Grad Night.

Additionally he leads the school’s Food 4 Thought food drive, the recycling program, and is one of the top fundraisers for Operation Santa.  Stockman attained his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 2004.

Heidi Targee: Stone Middle School

Heidi Targee, instructional visual arts teacher at Stone Middle School, began her teaching career in Brevard in 2000. A National Board Certified Teacher, Targee exhibits a positive influence for all of the students at Stone as well as a catalyst for community and parent involvement.

She is one of six teachers from Stone to write arts integration pieces of a Federal Magnet School Grant proposal to create STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) integration. In 1996 Targee graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Art +Design.

BPS Teacher of the Year Nominees (By last name)

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