Cocoa High’s English Teacher, Diane Phillips, has won this year’s coveted title of Brevard Public Schools (BPS) Teacher of the Year (TOY). Phillips was presented with the award Thursday, March 10, before an audience of over 400 people at the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral at BPS’ annual awards event hosted by Brevard Schools Foundation.
As Brevard County’s Teacher of the Year, Phillips receives a number of prizes, among them the use of a vehicle for one year from Space Coast Honda, a $500 Visa gift card from Community Credit Union, a Teacher of the Year Ring presented by Jostens, a laptop computer from GovConnection, a luxurious spa day at LaBella Spa, the opportunity to attend a weeklong summer seminar through the Florida Humanities Council Teachers Center and other gifts.
“Outstanding teaching is keystone to student success and a quality education can change a life forever,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Binggeli. “Mrs. Phillips embraces her responsibility for her students’ success and realizes her part in helping them achieve their goals.” He continued, “I applaud Mrs. Phillips and all of the exemplary teaching staff we have in Brevard.”
Phillips has been an English teacher at Cocoa High since 2007. During her short tenure, Phillips has won the 2009-2010 Perseverance Commands Success Award and as a parent was the coach for the West Shore Odyssey of the Mind team when they came in first in Brevard County in 2005 and second in 2006. Phillips uses item-analysis to detect areas that need focus and to differentiate instruction for her students. She conducts data-chats with her students on a regular basis so that each child has a firm understanding of his or her achievement level. Phillips came to teaching after working as an editor in the textbook industry for 24 years. As part of her cohort of teachers, Phillips collaborates extensively across departments, working closely with the world history, art, and science teachers in developing cohesive units.
Phillips was selected after being interviewed by a selection committee made of current and former teachers of the year, retired school administrators and community leaders. Eighty-nine teachers were nominated this year. From those nominated, six finalists were selected.
An emotional Phillips told an elated audience, “I’m thankful every day that I am a teacher of English, not math, not science. As an English teacher, I have beautiful, blessed access to these children’s’ core, as exposed through their tender, insightful writing. I say to them always, ‘Tell the story only you can tell,’ and they do. Through their gifts of expression and voice, they prove every day that they are snowflakes, not minted coins. Who they are, while I have them, is fleeting, pure, real. I owe them so very much in exchange for their trust.”
Other finalists for county Teacher of the Year were: Linda Dean, Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High; Kassie Erenstoft, Spessard L. Holland Elementary; Nicola Gerges, Endeavour Elementary; Dieu Ho, Bayside High, and Cynthia Nuckols, Office of Alternative Sites/Infants and Toddlers.