Honoring educators

North Lauderdale lauds teachers, staffers of the year

North Lauderdale teachers and school staff were recently honored at City Hall for their work.

Among those honored were Jennifer Ardo, teacher of the year at Broadview Elementary School; Mirielle Imbert, teacher of the year at Morrow Elementary; Andrea Borio, teacher of the year at North Lauderdale Elementary; Karen Balfour Tutien, teacher of the year at Pinewood Elementary; Shari Hicks, teacher of the year at Imagine Charter School; and Akesha Rawls, teacher of the year, and Devon Robert, employee of the year at Silver Lakes Middle.

The award winners from Somerset Preparatory Charter School were Karolyn Cruz-Williams, elementary teacher of the year, Jacques Voltaire, middle/high school teacher of the year, Jessica Paz, rookie of the year, and Shantel Haye, staff member of the year.

“It is great to see that the city recognizes how important good teachers are for a thriving community,” said Silver Lakes Middle School Principal Alison Trautmann-Lopez. “Teachers give so much, every single day. It does make a difference to them when they are appreciated for what they do.”

Voltaire wasn’t expecting the honor. “I just try to be there for the students; you don’t do it to be recognized,” he said. “… There is no better feeling than watching your students grow.”

Rawls is an eighth-grade reading teacher.

“Reading is one of the most difficult subjects to teach, but I make it engaging and fun,” she said. “Motivating the students is one of the biggest challenges for a teacher, but you can get them to open up if you show you care.”

“Patience is a quality that you most need as an elementary school teacher,” said Cruz-Williams, a firstgrade teacher. “… It feels great when the city does something like this; it inspires us to do more.”