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> Evening of Excellence (formerly Outstanding Educator Awards and Hall of Honor
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Evening of Excellence (formerly Outstanding Educator Awards and Hall of Honor

Pinellas County’s best educators and business partners were recognized at the first-ever Evening of Excellence held on January 20, 2010 at Ruth Eckerd Hall, in front of a live audience of more than 1,000 guests including educators, community leaders and visionary business leaders. The event paid tribute to the Best Educators and the Best Business Partners who create ever expanding opportunities for Pinellas County’s Children and also celebrated this year’s induction to the Pinellas Free Enterprise Hall of Honor, recognizing a legacy of service and advocacy for education.

Lisa Fagan-Brown - Library Information Specialist at James B. Sanderlin Elementary School, was named the Outstanding Educator and will represent Pinellas County at the Florida Department of Education 2011 Teacher of the Year Program. Fagan-Brown was also named the Outstanding Educator in the category of Inspiring Students to Perform at High Levels.

Other Outstanding Educator category winners include: Michelle Lambert - Seventh Grade Civics Teacher, Palm Harbor Middle School – Commitment to Children & Families; Marcene Juergens - Sixth Grade Teacher, Osceola Middle School – Commitment to Improvement of the Profession; Vanessa Fox - Fifth Grade Reading and Writing Teacher, Marjorie Rawlings Elementary – Creativity & Innovation; Courtney Mack -Third Grade Teacher, Blanton Elementary School – Ambassador of the Profession.

Brian Waggoner, husband of Largo High teacher Tamara Evanson-Waggoner, was named as the 2010 Superintendent’s Unsung Hero for his support of his wife and family following her diagnosis of breast cancer. Waggoner received the 2010 Ascot Vase Award in recognition of his unwavering dedication.

Bright House Networks was named as the 2010 Business Partner of the Year in the Pinellas County School District Category. Nominated by Lealman Intermediate School and the Gus A. Stavros Institute, Bright House will represent Pinellas County at the Annual Florida Department of Education Commissioner’s Business Recognition Awards ceremony.

Other Business Partner of the Year winners include: Florida Blood Services, nominated by Boca Ciega High School in the Secondary School Category; Tampa Bay Rays, nominated by Campbell Park Elementary School in the Elementary School Category.

Jean Wittner, President of Wittner Centres, Inc. was inducted to the 2010 Pinellas Free Enterprise Hall of Honor in recognition of more than 25 years of business leadership, entrepreneurial and philanthropic service to the community. Mrs. Wittner served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Education Foundation and was the first woman chairman of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Pinellas County. She also chaired the Committee of Trustees of Eckerd College and serves as a director of Raymond James Bank. The Hall of Honor is located at the Gus A. Stavros Institute in Largo.

Outstanding Educator Winner
Lisa Fagan-Brown is Pinellas County Schools’ 2010 Outstanding Educator. Dr. Janssen and Sanderlin principal, Denise Miller, congratulate Lisa.

Unsung Hero Winner
Brian Waggoner is named the 2010 Superintendent’s Unsung Hero. Pictured with Dr. Janssen and his wife, Tamara Evansen-Waggoner who teaches at Largo High.