Jay agriculture teacher named 2016 Rookie of the Year

From left are Jamie Walker, Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce chair; Kaylen Findley, 2016 Rookie of the Year; Emily Donalson, president of the Santa Rosa County Association of School Administrators; and Tim Wyrosdick, Santa Rosa County superintendent.

MILTON — Kaylen Findley, a seventh- to 12th-grade agriculture teacher at Jay High School, is the 2016 Santa Rosa Rookie of the Year.

She was selected from a field of 32 educators with three or less years’ teaching experience. The Rookie of the Year reception took place Wednesday at Bennett C. Russell Elementary School.

“It is Kaylen’s commitment to her students and her ability to guide children, instilling leadership skills with high morals and values, that helps to make her program successful,” Jay High School Principal Brad Marcilliat said in a statement.

“The enthusiasm she projects can be seen in all aspects of her (Future Farmers of America) program. Speeches are given with purpose and intent. Animals are led with pride, and officers expect to be the best in the area. These students are growing into accomplished young adults.

“This is a direct result of Kaylen Findley’s efforts and guidance in and out of the classroom.”

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jay agriculture teacher named 2016 Rookie of the Year