Media Release
Contact: Abby Bean 904-753-0996
[email protected]
February 10, 2016 2:00 p.m.
Each of us has that one teacher who made a profound impact on our life. For Carissa Bass,that teacher was Mrs. Bowman. “It was because of her enthusiasm, dedication and inspiration, that I saw the value in teaching,” said Bass. Luckily for the students of Southside Elementary in Fernandina Beach,Florida, Bass followed in Mrs. Bowman’s footsteps. “I love seeing the connections being made. Icannot imagine any other career in which you know you are making an influential impact.”
On Tuesday, January 26, 2016,Bass was awarded the Nassau County, Florida, Teacher of the Year at the second annual Nassau Education Foundation’s Teach of the Year Gala, attended by over 400 guests and held at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. The gala, which mirrors an Academy Award theme, recognized the fifteen Teachers of the Year for each school throughout the district and highlighted the five finalists. The evening’s festivities culminated with the announcement of Bass as Nassau County Teacher of the Year and the announcement of $129,000 raised for the Foundation’s grants,which will be awarded to teachers across the county who apply for and receive mini-grants.
Every winner was presented a gift bag,filled with prizes donated by businesses and members of the community, by Senator Aaron Bean,Master of Ceremonies and event Co-chair, Superintendent John Ruis and School Board Chair Donna Martin. In addition, Ms. Bass received a $1,000 check from the Foundation, a spa day at Magna’s Salon in downtown Fernandina Beach and will enjoy a weekend getaway at Emerald Grande in Destin,Florida.
“Our inaugural event held last year exceeded our every expectat ion and again this year, our goals were surpassed. In its first year,the Foundation gave out over $114,000 in grants,which included matching grants from the state,” said Abby Bean, Foundation Board President and event Co-Chair. In its first year,the Foundation provided grants for education from elementary through adult education. Brain Pop software was purchased to build upon or introduce knowledge and concepts in all areas,including art,health and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. Students in the CNA program are recipients of tools used to further their vocational training. An art exchange program with students in a South American village was the focus for art classes in Callahan Middle School. These are just a sampling of the many creative and engaging activities and programs being incorporated into every day curriculum by teachers. “It is exciting and awe-inspiring to see what our teachers accomplish with the grants,but most importantly, it is rewarding to see the outcomes from the grants,” said Bean. “Our students are truly the winners.”
Ms. Bass is graduated from Fernandina Beach High School and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of North Florida. She has been a teacher at Southside Elementary since 2006 where she mentors new teachers, has chaired the technology committee since 2007 and most recently, designed the school’s 3D Tech Club.
“It is humbling to be nominated by your peers, especially for doing what you love to do. It is quite an honor to be selected as Nassau County’s Teacher of the Year. I hope to inspire other educators to be a source of inspiration for their students, to encourage other teachers to embrace new teachingstrategies,and to promote a love for teaching and student growth,” said Bass. “Nassau County is blessed with amazing educators. I am pleased to be a part of, and now representative of, our district’s teachers.
This year’s Teachers of the Year Finalists in addition to Ms. Bass were: Susan Cacciapouti of Yulee Primary School;Valerie Snyder of Fernandina Beach High School; Renee Thompson of Fernandina Beach Middle School and Veronica Williams of Yulee High School.
The additional ten school Teachers of the Year are: Dana Crump of Hilliard Elementary School;Jeanne-Louise Elliott of Yulee Elementary School;Cyndi Licausi of Emma Love Elementary School;Dr. Nancy Moore of West Nassau High School; Kristen Ray of Hilliard Middle School; Megan Salvatore of Callahan Elementary School; Pam Smith of Bryceville Elementary School; Denise Spivey of Callahan Middle School; Miranda Thompson of Callahan Intermediate School and Melissa Tremblay represented Yulee Middle School.
The selection of the Nassau County Teacher of the Year is part of a state-wic;:le program sponsored by the Florida Department of Education and Macy’s of Florida. Locally, each school selects a nominee for the county-wide award and each of those nominees participates in an interview and submits a resume and two essay responses to professional questions. Based on scores for the interview and the essays, five finalists are identified and each is observed conducting a lesson with students. Following the observations of the five finalists, an overall county winner is selected and subsequently represents the district as a nominee for the Macy’s Florida Teacher of the Year. Since 2006, Nassau County has had three state finalists and one state winner of the Florida Teacher of the Year, Jean Lamar,who facilitated this year’s contest for the school district.
The Nassau Education Foundation would like to recognize the lead event sponsors for their generous donations: Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island; Rayonier; Rayonier Advanced Materials; WestRock; EDCO; Florida Blue; Baptist Medical Center Nassau;VyStar; Brooks Rehabilitation; WellCare Health Plans; Florida Public Utilities; Jacksonville University; the Nassau County Economic Development Board, Family Support Services of Northeast Florida; Troxell; FCCI Insurance Group; Publix, University of North Florida, Dell and Presidio.
The Nassau Education Foundation (N EF) is a not-for-profit corporation whose purpose is to help teachers, students and Nassau County schools participate in programs that are not adequately funded by current public tax revenues. Our mission is to provide funding opportunities and support initiatives that enhance public education, recognizes teachers and inspires students to excel. We work in conjunction with and the support of Nassau County School Board. We are directed by a voluntary Board comprised of business, education and community leaders. Our vision is tosee the community united to maximize the support for public education by providing funding that gives all students the advanced skills and knowledge needed to compete in the 21st century economy.
Congratulations to Ms. Bass for this recognition as well as to all the other finalists. And a great big THANK YOU to all the educators and support staff in the Nassau County School System for their dedication and hard work with the youth of our community.