Clay Education Foundation announced Apple Award finalists for Teacher, School-Related Employees of the Year. The winners will be honored at the Thrasher-Horne Center on Feb. 8 at 6:30.

Philip Turturro - ISS Assistant at Doctors Inlet Elementary

Mr. Turturro serves as the Internal School Suspension (ISS) liaison at Doctors Inlet Elementary. When he first arrived at Doctors Inlet Elementary (DIS) a few years ago, he immediately sought to revamp this program and expand its positive impact on student learning and behavior. He also saw this opportunity as a place to build positive relationships with students. As a former school counselor, Mr. Turturro set a goal to remove the stigma of ISS being a place of “punishment” and replace it as a place of social, emotional, and educational growth. In addition to his ISS responsibilities, Mr. Turturro created a three-part school-wide mentoring program. The premise is to foster and build positive relationships with students outside of the standard classroom setting. 

Andrea Wilson- Behavioral Health Assistant at Ridgeview High School

Andrea Wilson, a Behavioral Health Assistant at Ridgeview High School, consistently makes a tremendous difference in students' daily lives. With a passion for her job and genuine enjoyment of working with students with special needs, Ms. Wilson's dedication and tireless efforts significantly influence student learning, build positive relationships, and enhance the learning environment of the school community. When a student is struggling, Mrs. Wilson tirelessly works with them until they succeed and feel pride in their accomplishments. This past school year, Ms. Wilson played an integral role in establishing a new fine arts elective credit for self-contained students at Ridgeview High. Through her collaboration with others, these students now have the opportunity to take Theater 1.

Josephine Roquemore- Principal’s Secretary and Bookkeeper at Grove Park Elementary 

Ms. Roquemore's evident passion for Grove Park Elementary started with Grove Park as a parent, transitioning into a staff member, and continuing through three different administrative teams, with her children leaving for new educational levels. She knows the inner workings of Grove Park and the county and is always the first to offer answers and solutions. She is often busy ensuring that teachers have their needs met and that all administrative obligations are complete. Mrs. Roquemore is a powerful force for positivity and goodness on campus. She consistently creates opportunities for staff to be celebrated or implements a novel way to make connections on campus. One of her greatest passions is the “Team Backpack” project. With this outreach, she uses donated backpacks that she fills with non-perishable food items, which she has also procured from donations. The backpacks are discreetly provided to students in need on Friday to ensure they have access to meals over the weekend. 

Pamela Saxon- Behavioral Health Assistant at Keystone Heights Elementary

Ms. Saxon’s profound love for the schools in Keystone Heights began in 1976 with fond memories of her Keystone Heights Elementary School (KHE) days and continued upon graduation from the Keystone Heights Jr./Sr. High School in 1989. As a parent volunteer and through her active community involvement, it was only natural for her to eventually come to work at KHE in 2016. From the beginning of her career as a behavior health assistant at KHE, Pamela Saxon brought with her a mindset of intentional positivity and a stellar work ethic: all driven by her genuine love for people. Ms. Saxon is constantly ruminating on new ideas and ways to make KHE better. In her PBS classroom, she enjoys bringing in seasonal charcuterie boards and cooking for her colleagues and students on Fridays.  She has also implemented the “Multiplication Station” in her PBS classroom this year. The need for this effort was born out of noticing a need that her students were having difficulty with basic math functions.

Shalaunda Delano- School Nurse at McRae Elementary School 

Nurse Delano is a tremendous asset to students, teachers, families, and the community at McRae Elementary School.  She works hard to build trusting relationships with the families that we serve. She advocates on McRae’s behalf to bring in special programs to meet the health needs of the students. She works closely with the Vision Is Priceless Program and Baker County Alliances Rendering Excellent Services (C.A.R.E.S.). The Vision Is Priceless Program is a no-cost eye exam for Florida students in low-income areas and Nurse Delano helps students receive their eyeglasses at no charge. On a typical day, students are in and out of the clinic, seeking help from Nurse D, as she is known around campus. She treats students with care and kindness, and she consistently speaks with parents concerning their children’s needs. She also addresses parent concerns. Nurse Delano is also well known for dressing up for holidays to add to the excitement of coming to school. She also participates in all school spirit days and adds positivity and enthusiasm to the school environment with her kind smile and helpful demeanor.