St. Cloud Elementary teacher chosen as Osceola district’s teacher of the year
Taylor Kuwik, a firstgrade teacher at St. Cloud Elementary School, was named the Osceola County School District’s teacher of the year on Thursday.
The recognition is part of the Florida Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year Award and Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education Program which is intended to promote the importance of quality education and enhance the stature of teachers.
Now, Kuwik competes against other Florida counties’ teachers of the year nominees. In May, the Education Department will announce finalists and, in July, the winner will be announced at a gala.
Kuwik, who graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2016, discovered her passion for learning and teaching at a young age, she said in her teacher of the year application.
“Hearing my students tell me they love a lesson, and wish for school to not end, or hearing a parent tell me that their child wants to come to school inspires me to be a better educator,” Kuwik said in a press release. “I want my students to enjoy learning, to enjoy school, and fuel a
passion within themselves for learning — this is what inspires me as an educator.”
After the pandemic forced schools to switch to digital learning, 61% of Kuwik’s students in the 2019-2020 school year were reading below first-grade level, the press release stated. Through frequent assessments and working rigorously with students 0.05% of her students were considered below-level at the end of the school year, the release said.
Kuwik uses the Marzano teaching strategies, which include identifying similarities and differences, summarizing and note-taking, reinforcing effort and providing recognition, homework and practice, and non-linguistic representations.
Another reason Kuwik was chosen as the district’s
teacher of the year was her implementation of spirit days during the pandemic. Students were able to dress up thematically or bring in items to encourage participation and promote a positive school culture during the pandemic, Kuwik said in a press release.
“Ms. Kuwik’s experience and accomplishments both as a model teacher and an instructional leader continue to motivate both students and staff towards higher achievement,” said district Superintendent Debra Pace in a press release. “She expertly communicates high expectations for all, and creates a learning environment where students are cared for, welcomed, and encouraged.”