On Friday, October 13, Principal Mary Beth Myers of Riviera Elementary School was honored with a 2023 Principal Leadership Award by Florida TaxWatch.

Ms. Myers was awarded the Principal Leadership Award during a surprise ceremony for her hard work in enriching the lives of the students at Riviera Elementary and helping them achieve and succeed!

As part of her award, Ms. Myers will be recognized at the official Principal Leadership Award ceremony in Winter Park in April 2024. She will also receive a $1,000 cash prize, a plaque for her school, and, perhaps most exciting of all, she will have the opportunity to nominate one student from Riviera Elementary to receive a two-year Academic A+ Challenge Match Scholarship.

Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government and taxpayer research institute, organizes its annual Principal Leadership Awards. Established in 2013, this prestigious award is given to nine different principals across the state in schools with a large population of at-risk students who have outperformed other schools with similar demographics through the meaningful impact they have made on the students they serve.

The only program of its kind in the nation, Florida TaxWatch selects three elementary school principals, three middle school principals, and three high school principals to receive a Principal Leadership Award, whose leadership skills have made a difference not only in the lives of their students but in their communities as well.

Florida TaxWatch selects its Principal Leadership Award winners through weighted data collected from the Department of Education.

This is the fourth year in a row that Brevard Public Schools have had the privilege of surprising one of our very own principals with this accolade.

Last year, Mike Mahl of Palm Bay Elementary School was honored, and in 2021, Dr. Rachel Roberts took home the prize for her impact at Columbia Elementary. In 2020, Riviera won under the leadership of Kori Hurst.

Six outstanding science teachers received the distinguished Exemplary Science Teacher Award from the Space Coast Science Education Alliance (SCSEA). The award is given in recognition of Brevard County teachers who go above and beyond to foster a love of learning and develop science literacy among their students.

The 2023 Exemplary Science Teacher Award winners are:

• Dr. Peter Gay of Astronaut High School
• Aaron LeBlanc of Rockledge High School
• Cheryl Hanneman of Quest Elementary School
• Angel Alexander of Stone Magnet Middle School
• Rhonda Ripperger of South Lake Elementary School
• Natalie Marshall of Eau Gallie High School

In addition, Ms. Marshall and Ms. Ripperger were inducted into the SCSEA Science Teacher Hall of Fame. This recognition pays tribute to science teacher leaders with a long and distinguished record of inspiring excellence in science among their students and colleagues.

Fourteen Brevard Social Studies teachers attended the annual Florida Council for the Social Studies (FCSS) Conference in Orlando, Florida. Brevard dominated the FCSS Excellence in Education Awards Dinner, taking home three district awards and three state awards. Brevard’s 2023 District Teachers of the Year were Lisa Burke (Lewis Carroll Elementary School), Emily Jensen (Kennedy Middle School), and Megan Terseck (Palm Bay Magnet High School).

Two Brevard teachers were also recognized as the state’s Teachers of the Year. Jeffrey Draves (Viera High School) and Mrs. Burke each received the Dr. Theron Trimble Florida Teacher of the Year Award, which recognizes exceptional social studies teachers for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Adding to the accolades, Christina Uttlinger, Brevard’s Elementary Social Studies Content Specialist, received a state award, the Dr. J. Doyle Casteel Outstanding Leadership Award. This award recognized her many years of devoted service as a member and current president of the Florida Association for Social Studies Supervisors (FASSS).

On Saturday, October 7th, the City of Rockledge hosted its second annual Rocktober 5K event. This fun-filled event welcomed people of all ages to participate in a delightful walk/run along the Don Griffin Trail at Lake Betsi.

However, the event was about more than just physical activity; it was also about giving back. The proceeds from the Rocktober 5K were directed toward benefiting the Golfview Elementary Magnet School PE Program, demonstrating the power of collective efforts in supporting education and community wellness.

On January 11, the Viera High School Wind Ensemble will perform at the 2024 Professional Development Conference hosted by the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA). The VHS Wind Ensemble will be performing during the FMEA Concert Hour from 8:30 am to 9:00 am at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.

On March 1, the ensemble will perform at the 2024 College Band Directors National Association/National Band Association (CBDNA/NBA) Southern Division Conference at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. The VHS Wind Ensemble is scheduled to perform from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.

Marina Middleton is the Heart of Brevard!

The Heart of Brevard is a person who puts their heart and soul into teaching, inspiring, and supporting our children in whatever role they play in BPS.

If you know of a BPS staff member or community partner who is the “Heart of Brevard,” nominate them HERE!

Support to Teacher Informational Night

Calling all Brevard Public Schools support employees! Discover your path to becoming a teacher at our Support to Teacher informational meeting. Learn about teacher certification options, meet representatives from Eastern Florida State College and the University of Central Florida, and get valuable financial aid insights. Join us on Thursday, October 26th at 5:30pm and take the first step towards a rewarding new career!