- December 30, 2024
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James Tager and Michelle Coolican. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Lynn Mellow from Plant Services received the Support Employee of the year award. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
James Tager and Lynn Mellow. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Lashakia Moore from Rymfire Elementary School received the Principal of the year award. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
iFlagler’s Erin Quinn was selected as Assistant Principal of the Year. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
People cheer as Erica Lovelette passes into the auditorium. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
James Russell and attendees walk in. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Superintendent James Tager speaks during the gala. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Dr. Earl Johnson led the ceremony. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
A red carpet entrance. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
2020 Support Employee of the Year nomenees. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
2020 Teacher of the year nominees. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
The crowd cheers. Photo by Paola Rodriguez
Flagler Schools hosted its Teacher and Support Employee of the Year Gala on Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Flagler Auditorium.
"I can not tell you how proud it makes me to stand up here and celebrate all of you."
—JIM TAGER, Flagler Schools superintendent.
Michelle Coolican from Buddy Taylor Middle School received the Teacher of the Year award.
Coolican is in her 13th year of teaching at Buddy Taylor, where she is a science teacher and an advisor for the school's after-school STEM Club, according to a district news release.
“I work with an amazing administration, with these unbelievably talented students that make my heart happy every day. I just want to say thank you,” Coolican said after receiving the award, according to the news release.
“Michelle has the task of teaching science to middle school students," Superintendent Jim Tager added, according to the news release. "That is not the easiest task in the world, but she is able to connect with all students in a way that makes them excited about science while creating positive relationships.”
Lynn Mellow, an office specialist at the Plant Services department who has worked for the district for 26 years and at Plant Services for eight years, received the Support Employee of the Year award.
"If you talk with anyone in Plant Services, they’ll tell you the same thing," Tager said, according to the news release. "Lynn’s personality brightens up any situation she’s placed [in], and she’s always willing to help out wherever she’s needed.”
Lashakia Moore, of Rymfire Elementary School, received the Principal of the Year award.
iFlagler’s Erin Quinn was selected as Assistant Principal of the Year.
The ceremony opened with cheers from students, followed by speeches by Tager and Dr. Earl Johnson, the district's executive director of leadership development.
Tager said he'd had a vision when he became superintendent — to increase the district's graduation rate among all subgroups, and to make the district an A district.
"Well, you made that happen, and for that, I thank you," Tager said.
A slideshow played, showing photos and videos created by teachers and employees. Students, families and friends celebrated their nominees as they walked down the red carpet towards the podium. This year's gala theme was "a 20/20 vision for education."
Coolican and Mellow will now represent Flagler Schools in the statewide Teacher and Support Employee of the Year competition, according to the news release.
