The Lee County Reading Council would like to congratulate the 2009 teachers of the year and administrator of the year.

Susan Donnelly

Colonial Elementary School

Sharla Wold

Lehigh Acres Middle School

Mary Garcia

Lehigh Senior High School

Joe Pitura

Lehigh Acres Middle School

Susan Donnelly

Her involvement in the total life of the school is outstanding. After school, before school, and Saturdays are times when most teachers are home, but not Susan! She is the reading leadership chairperson, serves on our SAC/PTO, is involved in Families Building Better Readers, MIM, the fair committee, fall festival, and sunshine committee. When asked what accomplishment she is most proud of , this was her response “The best thing for me is the look on their faces when they realize they can read for the first time.”

Sharla Wold

Sharla’s positive demeanor and influence can be witnessed moments upon entering her classroom.  She challenges her students and motivates them to complete their work through her wonderful presence, sense of humor, and kindness.

High School Teacher of the Year 2009

Mary’s classroom is warm, inviting, and academically focused.  She promotes activities beyond the classroom, and has students help her volunteer with Habitat for Humanity on the weekend.  Her classes have participated in Breast Cancer Awareness and collected books for the library at L.A.M.P. The professional accomplishment  Mary is most proud is”  I quote “ having students who hated to read, surpass their Accelerated Reading goal and absolutely love holding, smelling, and taking adventures through literature.”

Administrator of the Year 2009

Mr. Pitura thinks of himself as a learner.  When teachers are trained, he doesn’t watch from afar, but takes part in the training, workshops, and other professional development opportunities he makes available to teachers. Mr. Pitura has supported reading teachers in the school.  Among the many examples of this commitment are his participation in and support of our Family Reading Nights.  Reading in all disciplines is supported. This year, small tutoring groups before , during, and after school were initiated. Saturday reading tutoring is offered for parents.  Teachers and students know they are valued.  He appreciates everyone and never forgets to say “thank you.” Great principals are leaders of leaders.  Mr. Pitura is the epitome of a great leader. He encourages teacher voices as Lehigh Acres Middle School builds a culture of literacy; he offers to teachers an example of an administrator who is willing to learn about the process of reading and work to create a “culture of reading” in the school.