2012 Putnam County School District Teacher of the Year Belinda Taylor, left, and School-Related Employee of the Year Allyson Paige after winning their awards at Thursday's annual PCSD Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year Reception.
Taylor, a fourth-grade teacher at Browning-Pearce Elementary School and Paige, a nurse caring for special medical needs children at E.H. Miller School, were among 48 teachers and support employees winning the individual awards at their schools.
"She is the greatest inspiration ever."
That's how Amber Hutcheson describes colleague Belinda Taylor, the Browning-Pearce fourth-grade teacher named the 2011-2012 Putnam County School District Teacher of the Year Thursday night at the district's annual ceremony.
"She cares for these students as though they are her very own biological children."
That's how Allyson Paiges' E.H. Miller School family described her in words read by PCSD Assistant Superintendent Mary Beth Hedstrom, master of ceremonies at the event. Paige is the new PCSD School-Related Employee of the Year.
The two women were honored with 46 other district employees nominated to represent their schools and departments.
Speaking for the district was PCSD Associate Superintendent Sam Foerster, filling in for an ill Superintendent Tom Townsend. Foerster said getting to know many of the people in the room has been an honor in three years of working for local schools. But, he said, some things about them still make him wonder.
He told them he wonders how bus drivers and mechanics safely and with courtesy move about 6,000 kids a day -- how food service employees feed about 10,000 for $2.60 a day and how high school teachers with so much on their plates have Putnam kids graduating in record numbers.
"We've accomplished all of these things because of you, because of your commitment, your pride and your willingness to work hard," Foerster told the award winners.
Florida Teacher of the Year Alvin Davis, one of four finalists for the national 2012 Macy's Teacher of the Year award, spoke at the event, which was held at the Putnam County Commission complex.
"We chose the right profession," Davis assured the crowd. "Be proud that we have chosen the path less traveled. The most important thing we can do is understand our strengths and weaknesses and how to get better."
Gary Frost, Vice President at Georgia-Pacific spoke, recalling a teacher he said inspired him to reach for what might seem impossible in life.
"That's a gift you can't get just anywhere," Frost said.
Lucas Bennett, Putnam's 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year, said even if he is never nominated for the honor again, it was a great year.
"I can say that I was Teacher of the Year once and I'm blessed for that," Bennett said.
The two new Putnam County award winners said they were shocked when their names were called.
"Surprised and honored," Paige described herself as feeling when her name was announced.
Taylor was also emotional.
"I'm still shaking," she said.
Both women said the best part of their jobs and what drives them each day is the kids whose lives they touch, who in turn touch their hearts.
Only one man among the 20 teachers of the year was absent to hear the words spoken about him and his service to children -- Interlachen High School's Teacher of the Year Neil Stephenson.
Stephenson, the longtime local educator, is battling cancer and was not able to attend the event.
Hutcheson said though they now teach different grades, she goes consistently to Taylor for advice and input.
"Any time I need anything, I go to her; she has non-stop ideas," Hutcheson said. "She is the greatest inspiration ever."
Palatka High School teacher Gail West, right, embraces new PCSD School-Related Employee of the year Allyson Paige after Paige was named the winner of the annual award Thursday night.
Tiffany Scranton, Putnam County's 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year, plays with her niece Camryn at the annual awards event held Thursday at the County Commission. Scranton, a teacher at Mellon Elementary School, was nominated for the county award again this year.
From left: Browning-Pearce Elementary School Principal Libby Weaver, teacher Amber Hutcheson, PCSD Teacher of the Year Belinda Taylor and Browning-Pearce Assistant Principal Matt Bergen celebrate Taylor's award after Thursday's ceremony.
