MC Teacher of the Year named
The Education Foundation of Martin County named winners of its Teacher of the Year program. Vanessa Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School took top honors and was named the 2024-2025 Martin County Teacher of the Year. She will go on to represent Martin County in the state competition to become the Florida Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year.
Devin Carlson, partner and general manager of Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart, the event sponsor, presented Molina-Council with the award.
The Education Foundation also recognized Alicia Carter of Hidden Oaks, who won the middle school category, and Samantha Pankhurst of Jensen Beach High, the high school category winner. There were a total of 23 nominees competing for the top spots.
In addition, Felix A. Williams Elementary School won the Spirit Award, which was based on its theme, costumes, props and enthusiasm.
“The Education Foundation is pleased to present this program each year to honor Martin County’s teachers,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “Teachers are the unsung heroes who positively influence the lives of their students.”
Molina-Council’s students inspire her to be a classroom teacher. She grew up in low-income housing with non-English speaking parents and a sibling who had a disability. They both attended inner city public schools in rough neighborhoods, but her teachers made them feel valued and respected and provided their parents with guidance and resources. This experience inspired her to pursue the teaching profession.
“What inspires me today is to see the same joy of learning in my classroom and the motivation in my students to reach their fullest potential,” said Molina-Council. “My students make me feel like I am where I am meant to be, especially when I see those light bulbs go off!”
Her principal, Rose Rynca, said, “Vanessa exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator in every aspect of her teaching role. She consistently develops her instructional craft and is steadfast in her belief that all students will achieve. Her ability to inspire students’ curiosity, while integrating innovative teaching methods, is truly commendable.”
Carter has worked as an intervention reading teacher as well as a creative writing and digital media teacher, and a physical education and volunteer running coach. Pankhurst has taught almost every social studies course at Jensen Beach High School and is currently a teacher of advance placement human geography and United States history.
In addition to presenting sponsor Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart, & Alfa Romeo Stuart, the additional top sponsors were Keiser University, Publix SuperMarkets Charities and Cook Shell Contractors.
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