- January 9, 2025
-
-
Loading
Loading
Ariana Perez and Kate Sturman are named the 2018 Flagler School District Employee and Teacher of the Year. Photo by Paige Wilson
Rymfire Elementary Teacher of the Year Kate Sturman walks down the red carpet before being named the 2018 District Teacher of the Year. Photo by Paige Wilson
Superintendent James Tager recognizes Rymfire Elementary Teacher of the Year Kate Sturman before she is named District Teacher of the Year. Photo by Paige Wilson
Dr. Earl Johnson, School Board Members Maria Barbosa and Colleen Conklin, 2018 District Employee of the Year Ariana Perez, Board Member Janet McDonald, Chairman Trevor Tucker and Superintendent James Tager. Photo by Paige Wilson
Dr. Earl Johnson, School Board Members Maria Barbosa and Colleen Conklin, 2018 District Employee of the Year Ariana Perez, Board Member Janet McDonald, Chairman Trevor Tucker and Superintendent James Tager. Photo by Paige Wilson
School Board Members Colleen Conklin and Janet McDonald congratulate 2018 District Teacher of the Year Kate Sturman. Photo by Paige Wilson
Dr. Earl Johnson, School Board Members Maria Barbosa and Colleen Conklin, 2018 District Teacher of the Year Kate Sturman, Board Member Janet McDonald, Chairman Trevor Tucker and Superintendent James Tager. Photo by Paige Wilson
Flagler Schools rolled out the red carpet and shined a spotlight on each school’s and department’s 2018 Teacher and Employee of the Year during a star-studded event at Flagler Auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 11.
To celebrate a century of talented, dedicated educators, the district announced the 2018 Teacher and Employee of the Year during the Hollywood-style evening. Superintendent James Tager opened a sealed envelope to reveal Kate Sturman as the 2018 District Teacher of the Year and Ariana Perez as the 2018 District Employee of the Year.
“I feel truly overwhelmed and excited and a little shocked since there are so many amazing teachers here,” said Sturman, who is Rymfire Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year. “I feel truly honored to represent Flagler County.”
As Sturman walked down the red carpet before her award was announced, she thought of the times she’s literally rolled out the red carpet for her students at Rymfire Elementary.
“Oh my goodness, (my students) are going to be thrilled,” she said. “We’re hopefully going to have to celebrate.”
The 2018 Employee of the Year Ariana Perez works at the Government Services Building with the Office of Student and Community Engagement. She relocated to Florida from New York, where she was born and raised, in 2008. After graduating from Flagler Palm Coast High School in 2009, Perez started working for the Flagler County School District in 2013. She’s currently working to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
“(This award) means that I am going to grow more, do more, just be overall a better person,” Perez said. “This is definitely unexpected. I definitely worked hard for it, though, but I am surprised. This is an amazing opportunity.”
Superintendent Tager emphasized how impressed he is with this year’s Employees and Teachers of the Year.
“Tonight, what I really want to say to you is two words: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” Tager said. “For your leadership, for your cheerleading, for serving others and for your teamwork, thank you so much.”
