- December 26, 2024
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Teaching can be challenging, Kimberly Aromanda admits. But a hug from a former student, a cheerful “Hi, Ms. Aromanda,” or a heartfelt drawing by one of her second graders can brighten her day and remind her what she likes best about her chosen profession.
Aromanda, Old Kings Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, said becoming a teacher was never a conscious decision she made. It was who she was meant to be.
“In my heart and mind, teaching was always my path,” she said. “I never envisioned myself doing anything else. My goal has always been to instill a love for school in my students, just as I had growing up.”
The joy of teaching, she said, is helping students discover their “yet moments,” the moments when they’ve learned to master something they couldn’t do before.
“I love watching students grow and evolve from the beginning of the year to the end. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the class come together, forming connections and becoming an important part of each other’s lives,” she said. “The relationships they build and the ways they impact one another make every moment in the classroom truly special.”
Aromanda has been teaching for 25 years. She has been at Old Kings since 2004. Most of that time she taught first grade. She has been teaching second grade for the past two years with a focus on literacy, comprehension, math and writing skills.
Mrs. Aromanda embodies everything that this award stands for: excellence in teaching, leadership and a deep commitment to the growth and well-being of her students.
— JESSICA FRIES, OKES principal
“Mrs. Aromanda embodies everything that this award stands for: excellence in teaching, leadership and a deep commitment to the growth and well-being of her students,” Old Kings Elementary School Principal Jessica Fries wrote in her recommendation letter to the Flagler Schools’ Teach of the Year Selection Committee.
Aromanda is a team leader, a role she embraces, Fries said.
“She is always willing to go above and beyond to support her teammates. She consistently leads professional development sessions that are thoughtfully aligned with both the specific needs of her colleagues and the overall goals of our school,” Fries said.
Teaching, Aromanda said, is truly a team effort.
“Teachers working together as a team enrich the learning process; teachers and students partnering together foster growth; parents and teachers collaborating make it possible to craft the best learning opportunities for students; (and) administrators supporting and partnering with teachers play a vital role in creating an environment where both educators and students can thrive,” she said.
What sets Aromanda apart, Fries said, is her dedication to meeting the diverse needs of her students. That has become more of a priority for Aromanda since schools were shut down because of the pandemic in 2020.
“When we eventually returned, we faced a host of new challenges — teachers, parents, administrators and students alike,” Aromanda said. “That experience profoundly shifted how I approach education. It reshaped my understanding of students’ needs and influenced the way I teach to ensure I meet those evolving needs.”
Being nominated for the district’s Teacher of the Year award fills her with “an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility,” she said, adding, “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for doing something I love so deeply.”
In her leisure time, Aromanda enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family.
“One of our favorite activities,” she said, “is playing ‘Guess the Song’ quizzes, though my oldest son and husband are the champions.”
