During a surprise visit from Santa Rosa Superintendent of Schools Tim Wyrosdick and selection committee members from the Santa Rosa Education Foundation, Stephanie Duffy of Gulf Breeze High School was announced as the Santa Rosa Teacher of the Year for 2017.
“I was extremely excited and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support,” Duffy said following the announcement. “I truly feel honored to represent the incredible educators in Santa Rosa County.”
According to a press release from the school district, Duffy is a graduate of Texas State University and has taught mathematics at Gulf Breeze High School for 20 years.
“I truly appreciate the recognition of Teacher of the Year, due to all the energy and passion I put into my job,” Duffy said. “Being recognized by my peers and by my students means the world to me.”
Gulf Breeze High School Principal Danny Brothers said there are many reasons as to Duffy’s success in the classroom, including knowledge over the subject material, respectful student interaction and her infectious positive attitude.
“Mrs. Duffy has a love of teaching that’s second to none,” Brothers said in an email. “(Duffy’s) ability to reach every student she comes in contact with, regardless of capability, and move them toward academic success is vitally important to GBHS. She also goes above and beyond as demonstrated by her early morning tutoring sessions and her leadership in sponsoring the GBHS Optimist Club.”
Duffy is thankful for the support, patience and understanding of her husband and three children. She is also thankful for those who are instrumental in allowing her to have success in the classroom.
“I would also like to give credit to all the students that have come through my classroom door,” she said. “They keep me coming back each day. It is a joy working with these high school students.”
Being recognized for her efforts in the classroom is nothing new, Duffy said. In 2003-2004 Duffy won TOYT for GBHS and was one of three semifinalists for the entire county. In 2008, Duffy also won Math TOYT for Santa RosaCounty.
Duffy will serve as the county’s nominees for the Florida Department of Education’s Macy’s Teacher of the Year 2017.
The Florida TOTY will be selected in May and serve as Florida’s nominee for National TOTY to be announced in January 2017.
Duffy along with the 32 TOYT nominees, representing their individual schools or educational institutions in the county, will be recognized at Santa Rosa’s Golden Apple Awards on February 26.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Gulf Breeze teacher named 'Teacher of the year'