PANAMA CITY — Two area teachers were among nine educators statewide recognized Tuesday during the Florida Cabinet meeting.
The local teachers were Rachel Morris of Rutherford High School and Deeanna Golden of F.M. Golson Elementary School in Jackson County.
According to a statement released by the Governor’s Office, the nine educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Award for making outstanding contributions to their schools and students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
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Morris of Rutherford High is in her seventh year teaching high school math.
She has taught everything from algebra 1 up to advanced placement physics; although, she said her favorite class to teach is geometry, according to the Governor’s Office. In addition to teaching, she also coaches an after-school mathematics team of high school students. This is her fifth year coaching the Rutherford Math Team.
Golden of Golson Elementary has been employed with the Jackson County School System teaching kindergarten for 24 years.
She has a strong passion for education and enjoys contributing to educational excellence on the school, district, state and national level, the Governor’s Office said. She was selected as Golson Elementary School’s 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year, and was one of six nationwide educators to attend a two-week professional development event in Washington, D.C. to write math for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Illuminations.
“Florida is on a mission to be a global leader in jobs and our teachers are pivotal in preparing our students for careers of the future,” Gov. Rick Scott said. “Thanks to the hard work of our teachers, Florida’s students are among the best in the nation. I am proud to present the Governor’s Shine Award to these nine teachers for going above and beyond in order to make a difference in the lives of their students.”
The Governor’s Shine Award is presented to Floridians who have positively impacted children through education.