Floor Statements

Madam President, today I honor Makeda Brome, the St. Lucie County Teacher of the Year from Fort Pierce Westwood High School in Fort Pierce, FL.

After receiving this important recognition, Makeda said everything she does is to serve others and see them experience success in all aspects of their lives. She takes to heart the fact that her students must learn mathematics and retain what she has taught in order to be successful in their next courses, in college, and beyond.

Makeda models the best practices she has seen into her classroom to provide students with the best opportunity to succeed. Her colleagues note her expertise in a wide array of mathematics practices and keen ability to share this knowledge with others makes her an energetic educator and a leader among her school.

Makeda is an instructional mathematics coach and leads collaborative

planning sessions, tutors students, and participates in her school's algebra 1 and geometry boot camps before and after school.

I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Makeda for her dedication to helping her students succeed in mathematics. I look forward to learning of her continued success in the years to come.

Madam President, today I recognize Hollie Cunningham, the Marion County Teacher of the Year from West Port High School in Ocala, FL.

After Hollie received the teacher of the year award at the Circle Square Cultural Center, she credited God with leading her on this journey. When she first started college, she was an education major and contemplated earning degrees in teaching or nursing. One of her professors, Dr. Osteen, gave her advice she considered an impactful pearl of wisdom: Dr. Osteen advised her to become a nurse as she would always have the chance to teach. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing from Florida State University in 2002 and her master of science in family practice from the University of South Alabama, College of Medicine in 2011.

Hollie said she left the nursing profession because God put it on her heart to become a high school teacher as her students are worth the effort and sacrifice. Hollie teaches certified nursing assistant, electrocardiograph technician tech honors, health science foundations II honor, and medical skills classes and is the department chair for the vocational department.

She has the opportunity to instruct young students interested in nursing. She believes great teachers are always on call, like doctors and nurses, and that teaching is a gift, not a degree.

I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Hollie for her medical work and dedication to teaching her students. I look forward to hearing of her continued success in the years to come.

Madam President, today I am pleased to honor Sarah Hall, the Seminole County Teacher of the Year from Longwood Elementary School in Longwood, FL.

In receiving this award, Sarah's colleagues described her as an energetic and inspiring teacher who radiates positivity to her students each day. She believes every student should have the opportunity to learn, and she devotes time to assisting her colleagues.

Sarah has been a teacher for 15 years and has made it her mission to build relationships with her students and their families by creating a literacy program, Roaring Readers: How to Train Your Cub. The program invites parents of kindergarten and first graders to the school each month for discussions on how they can better support their young readers at home.

I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Sarah for her dedication. I look forward to learning of her continued success in the coming years.

Madam President, today I honor Shannon Kraeling, the Brevard County Teacher of the Year from Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, FL.

Shannon enjoys showing her students how to use their imagination to create art and guides them through the learning experience. She loves teaching the concept that success comes from perseverance, reevaluation, revision, refinement, and failure. Her greatest appreciation is seeing her students' pride when they master a skill with which they initially struggled.

Shannon is responsible for developing and implementing a curriculum for her classes and organizes lessons, units, and daily activities as a model for teachers throughout the district. She also provides training to integrate fine arts into the curriculum and co-teaches a biology unit.

Shannon has spent her 13-year teaching career at Eau Gallie High School. She is the ceramics teacher and department chair for the fine arts program. Shannon also mentors new teachers on classroom management and is a faculty member for the University of Phoenix, supervising local interns and teaching arts integration classes for its College of Education.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Shannon for her work to help her students succeed in school. I look forward to hearing of her continued work in the coming years.

Madam President, today I am pleased to recognize Joseph Malfara, the Osceola County Teacher of the Year from Poinciana High School in Kissimmee, FL.

Joseph challenges his students each day toward success. His influence on the school's campus is seen with all students; from those considered at-risk to the highest achieving, they all note how tirelessly Joseph works to help them learn.

Joseph is credited with implementing several teaching strategies that led to significant gains in his students' performance in class and on the SAT. In his classroom, 78 percent of students met their reading and writing graduation requirements, compared to 57 percent for other classes. According to the school district, the average student scores increased from 442 to 476 in his content area for the SAT. They also saw an increase in the percentage of students meeting their concordance score after junior year, rising from 47 to 73 percent in one year.

Joseph is an English III, Honors, Advanced Placement English language and composition teacher. He also leads a mentorship group called Suit Up Society that is dedicated to mentoring young men who have grown up without a positive male influence and to help improve their lives academically, behaviorally, and socially.

I would like to thank Joseph for the good work he has done for his students over the years. I extend my best wishes to him and look forward to hearing of his continued success.

Madam President, today I recognize Nicole Mosblech, the Indian River County Teacher of the Year from Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, FL.

When named teacher of the year, Nicole noted the amount of support, enthusiasm, encouragement, and love she received from her students and colleagues.

Nicole has been an AP and Honors-level environmental science and honors chemistry teacher at Vero Beach High School since 2012. She educates students to better serve the planet and is also the sponsor for the Green Team and the Q+ Acceptance Club. Earlier in her career, Nicole took a 5-year hiatus from teaching to earn a doctor of philosophy degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.

I express my sincere thanks and best wishes to Nicole for her work to educate her students in science. I look forward to learning of her continued success in the years ahead.

Madam President, today I recognize Kristin Murphy, the Broward County Teacher of the Year from Nova Middle School in Davie, FL.

In Kristin's classroom, being respectful and never lying are the only two rules. She considered it a high honor to have been among her peers that were also nominated for this award. She was taken aback after learning of their backstories and the great strides they are achieving for their schools.

Kristin has been at Nova Middle School for 3 years and teaches world history and pre-law. She has been an educator for more than 20 years. She credits the school with providing several programs that present opportunities for students to improve their learning potential. In the law program, students work with the Public Safety Institute at Broward College to help future police officers prepare to testify in their careers.

I am thankful to Kristin for her dedication to teaching her students and look forward to hearing of her continued success in the years to come.

Madam President, today I am pleased to recognize Sarah

Pasion, the Duval County Teacher of the Year from Sadie Tillis Elementary School in Jacksonville, FL.

Sarah considered this recognition an unexpected blessing from God. She believes teaching is more than a profession; its role is to serve as an inspiration for students to learn and become productive members of society. To Sarah, education is the key to a better life.

Sarah likes to engage her students in conversations to help them understand mathematical concepts, which results in the students discussing the concepts amongst one another. When she sees them agree or disagree with their ideas, she knows this is a more effective and efficient strategy to teaching and helps them to fully grasp the concepts.

Sarah is a 4th grade teacher at Sadie Tillis Elementary School and is a 15-year veteran educator in Jacksonville. Her teaching philosophy has been credited with improving her school's grade from an F to a C through personalized instruction for each student and by developing strong professional relationships with her colleagues. Both students and teachers take notes from her instructions and lessons.

I express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Sarah for her dedication to her students and colleagues. I look forward to hearing of her continued success in the years ahead.

Madam President, today I recognize Shelli Rhoden, the Baker County Teacher of the Year from Baker High School in Glen St. Mary, FL.

Shelli was shocked and humbled to be named teacher of the year and considers it to be a great honor. Originally a civil engineer, Shelli became a teacher because she wanted to have more interaction with the local youth and influence their growth. She enjoys the opportunity to build relationships with her students and says that while it can be challenging, seeing their success makes it worthwhile.

Each of her students come to class with different academic and emotional needs. Shelli tries to meet with them individually, but knows they can be distracted with life outside of the classroom. Though she finds this frustrating, humbling, and heartbreaking, she also finds the relationship and their questions fulfilling and always worth the effort.

Shelli is a math and science teacher and she teaches pre-calculus, algebra 2, and physics. Aside from teaching, Shelli cochairs the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports, PBIS, team and cosponsors the Mu Alpha Theta math honor society.

I convey my sincere thanks and gratitude to Shelli for her work with her students over the years and look forward to hearing of her continued success.

Madam President, today I recognize Katharine Williams, the Okeechobee County Teacher of the Year from the Okeechobee School Board in Okeechobee, FLa.

Katharine believes God has led her to the position she is in today, where she is able to help students with serious emotional or mental distresses. She teaches them they are lovable, can love others, and can learn how to have successful emotional regulation.

Helping students has inspired her every day, and it represents PRIDE--perseverance, respect, integrity, dependability, ethics--to her. This teaches students to be active listeners, how to have emotional regulation, and also serves as the foundation of the school district's work for its students.

Katharine has a master's degree in counseling psychology and is a licensed mental health counselor. She has worked with the Okeechobee County School District for 16 years and as a crisis counselor for 13 years. She is involved in the development and management of district protocol for both threat assessment and safety planning for students. Katharine is also one of six instructors for youth mental health first aid.

I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Katharine for her dedication in helping her students succeed in life. I look forward to learning of her continued success in the coming years.

Mr. President, as chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize a small business that exemplifies the unique American entrepreneurial spirit. It is my privilege to honor a Florida small business that has worked so diligently to expand opportunity within their community, proving that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the heartbeat of Main Street. This week it is my privilege to honor Sunshine Peanut Company of Jacksonville, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Founded in 2005, Sunshine Peanut Company is Florida's only peanut butter producer and processes more than 10 million pounds of peanut butter each year. Sunshine Peanut Company, owned by CEO Jeff Turbeville and his brother David, completes every phase of production, from roasting to packaging, entirely in house.

Focusing on competitive cost, high quality, and timely delivery and with the help of the Jacksonville Small Business Development Center, Sunshine Peanut Company has become a leader in the peanut processing industry. Through the utilization of their Small Business Administration HUBZone certification, Sunshine Peanut Company has been awarded contracts to sell their high-quality peanut butter to hospitals, schools, universities, and correctional facilities.

Sunshine Peanut Company's work with the Florida Department of Corrections goes far beyond just supplying peanut butter. Jeff employs a number of rehabilitated offenders, and David, a former police officer, understands firsthand the criminal justice system and the support that parolees need. Jeff takes his role as an employer and community sponsor seriously, and his dedication to provide dignified work to the members of his community that need it the most is an outstanding example of community support. Sunshine Peanut Company's efforts have resulted in reduced recidivism and increased opportunity within his community.

Jeff's efforts and Sunshine Peanut Company's success has not gone unnoticed. He was recently honored as the 2019 Florida Small business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration. This distinction is awarded to an entrepreneur who represents diversity, hard work, and perseverance. Jeff's commitment to both his company and his community have made him a clear choice for this award. He will be honored this year in Washington, DC, at the beginning of National Small Business Week.

Sunshine Peanut Company is a great example of how dignified work can lead to community engagement and business expansion, while changing lives for the better. I commend Jeff and the Sunshine Peanut Company on their dedication to their community and am honored to name them as the Senate Small Business of the Week. I wish them good luck and look forward to watching their continued growth and success.

Mr. President, today I recognize Sandra Carawan, the Gilchrist County teacher of the year from Bell Elementary School in Bell, FL.

Sandra is dedicated to her students, working closely with them each day to help solve their problems. Her colleagues describe her as a tremendous asset and someone who will help in any way she can, whether as a teacher or with administrative duties. She was named Bell Elementary School's teacher of the year in addition to receiving the award for the district.

A fifth grade exceptional student education teacher, Sandra acts as the lead teacher for her grade level. She also serves as Bell Elementary School advisory chair, safety patrol sponsor, district 21st century evaluator/coordinator, a positive behavior support team member, and a data evaluator for the entire Gilchrist County School District. She graduated from Saint Leo University, earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1999 and her master of education degree in 2007.

I convey my best wishes to Sandra for her dedication to her students and school. I look forward to hearing of this continued success.

Mr. President, today I recognize Lilly Chappell, the Bradford County teacher of the year from Southside Elementary School in Starke, FL. Lilly has enjoyed spreading her passion for learning to others throughout her whole life. She has spent 11 years with the Southside Parent Teacher Organization, helping to build a playground and sound system for students, directing musicals with more than 250 students, and making herself available for a variety of other extracurricular events throughout the school year.

Lilly has taught in Bradford County for 20 years, beginning as a writing coach. She has served at Southside Elementary School as the lead teacher in fourth and fifth grade, the K-5 county gifted instructor, 5th grade English language arts, and as a history teacher. She attended the University of Florida and University of North Florida, studying public relations and elementary 1-6 education. As a result of her teaching and mentoring over the years, several of the students she previously taught have now become her colleagues.

I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to Lilly for her years of dedication to her student. I look forward to hearing of her continued good work in the coming years.

Mr. President, today I honor Nicole Kenngott, the Pinellas County teacher of the year from Plumb Elementary School in Clearwater, FL.

Nicole specializes in deaf studies and special-needs education. She uses innovative, research-based teaching methods to educate her students. She designs lesson plans to promote continuous learning in a teaching environment meant to encourage and inspire her students.

Nicole works with students to identify their fears in order to foster a better growth mindset and develop an enthusiasm for learning. Last year, 60 percent of her students earned a level three or higher on the State English test, compared to 51 percent in Pinellas County schools.

Nicole earned her master's degree from Dowling College and has taught at Plumb Elementary School for 3 years. She follows a teaching style based on a growth mindset and Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, and Success or CHAMPS. She also uses the strategies of Advanced Via Individual Determination teaching and restorative practices.

I express my sincere gratitude to Nicole for her commitment to helping her students succeed in school. I look forward to learning of her continued success in the years to come.

Mr. President, today I honor Melissa Pappas, the Orange County teacher of the year from Brookshire Elementary School in Winter Park, FL.

Melissa is a K-5 intensive autism teacher that works with children with severe behavioral functional and academic needs. She is motivated by her passion for her students and is responsible for one of only five intensive units districtwide, serving students with severe behavioral, functional, and academic needs. She believes teaching is not only a profession that teaches all other professions, but the one with the power to shape the future for all types of learners.

In the past year, she launched a schoolwide initiative during Autism Awareness Month to educate members of the school community to promote acceptance, love, and understanding of those with autism and special needs. As a result of the initiative, many students performed random acts of kindness and engaged students with exceptionalities.

I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Melissa for her devotion to helping her students succeed in life. I look forward to learning of her continued success in the coming years.