Each year the Leon County Reading Council presents several Literacy Awards to individuals
in both the schools and the community who have made outstanding contributions to literacy.
They are nominated by their peers, school administrators, and others. Their awards
are presented at our annual banquet in the spring.
2009 Literacy Award Winners
Dr. Matthew Powers
School Volunteer at Woodville Elementary
Professor at FAMU in the Landscape Architecture Department of the School of Architecture
Designed and built outdoor Learning Centers with a grant from the Florida Wildlife Association
Wrote a grant for the students to learn about the history of Woodville School and
establish a history museum.
Award presented by Woodville principal, Nancy Stokely
Lynn Peterson
Dedicated teacher at Ruediger Elementary
LCRC Writing Contest Chair
Award presented by Mary DeHoff
Sunny Saunders
Leon County Elementary Reading Coach of the Year 2007-2008
Outstanding mentor to teachers all over Leon County
Award presented by Jan O'Dell
Read text of Jan O'Dell's presentation speech
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2008 Literacy Award Winners:
Phyllis Porter - Instructional Leader
Phyllis Porter has worn many hats during her long career as an educator. She began as a teacher in 1970 and has served as a Primary Specialist, classroom teacher, ESE teacher, resource teacher and classroom coach as well as serving as the district in her current capacity of Program Director of Dropout Prevention, Home Education, Title I and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
Phyllis believes in education! After obtaining her B.S. in Home Economics / Child Development from Florida State University, she went on to become certified in Elementary Education through the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Not satisfied to stop there, she obtained her Master of Education degree in Specific Learning Disabilities at Stetson University in Deland. You might say Phyllis is one of those perpetual students, because she is currently a doctoral candidate in the Philosophy of Educational Leadership program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee.
Through the years, Phyllis has presented at a variety of state and national conferences, including Title I, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Florida Education Association, PTA, and Department of Education conferences. Her presentations have shared her vast knowledge of working with students and parents in order to bring about what we all desire: successful educational experiences for all students.
Phyllis has tirelessly served to better the education that our students receive and has gone that extra mile in giving our students opportunities they would not have otherwise had. She has made it possible for a popular children’s author to visit many of our schools to work with students. To see the eyes of the students as they interacted with the author was enough to make any educator's heart sing! As a life-long avid reader myself, I can tell you that one of my fondest wishes as a young child was to meet my favorite author at that time.
Through Phyllis' office, students are provided with books for summer reading as well as a calendar of activities for the parent and student to do together. She believes in providing the tools for the parents and students to help themselves in the area of literacy.
Phyllis is a positive person who has a "can do" attitude. When faced with any obstacle, rather than say it can't be done, she will strive to figure out a way for it to happen. In this vein, she has received honors for her work in promoting literacy by taking part in the America Reads Project at Florida State University as well as working with the Foster Grandparents program through Elder Care.
When Phyllis is asked to help with something (usually involving budgets and funding) that will better the education and experiences of our students, she will try her best to make that happen. I have seen that time and time again in working with Phyllis. In that sense, she seems to be a type of “miracle worker”.
Phyllis is retiring in September of 2008, and she will be missed. She is a friend, a colleague, and a true advocate for children. Her shoes (and her many hats) will be difficult to fill.
~Gwen Hafford
Julianna Baggot - Author, Teacher, Community Inspiration
Where in the world is Julianna Baggot? That is an easy answer: EVERYWHERE! Julianna writes award winning poetry and prose. (This year she had two honor books for the Florida Book Award, one for children and an adult poetry book.) She teaches full-time in the very respected English Department writing program at FSU. You can hear her voice on XM Radio on XM for Kids. Her monthly blog from N.E. Bode is a mainstay in classrooms around the world. She wrote the prequel to a movie this year and has sold the movie rights to several of her own books…and she has a wonderful husband and four precious children. This soccer mom keeps on the kicking and all that would make her a candidate for a Literacy Award.
Her program, “Kids in Need—Book in Deed”, is the tipping factor for why she should be given this special recognition by LCRC. It is a feature in her monthly blog which is full of wonderful ideas to use in the classroom (including her Boot Camp for Writers).
In the current issue, schools from all over the U.S. are mentioned for the projects they have worked on. Two local schools, Swift Creek and Holy Comforter, are listed as “most generous” for their successful book drives. A Gilchrist 5th grader is mentioned for her efforts to get a book drive going at her school, showing one child can make a difference. Cornerstone Learning Center has partnered with Ruediger. The students at Cornerstone held a write-a-thon at their school to buy books for kids at Ruediger. This is a win/win situation. The Cornerstone students are working on their literacy skills while producing a product that will earn them dollars to buy books. Children that come from homes rich in books learn the value and accept at a young age that it is the right thing to do to help those less fortunate, spreading the joy of reading.
In addition to getting kids involved in helping kids, Julianna has convinced authors to donate books and author visits so that all children can meet authors, not just those in affluent schools. Her passion for linking kids and books is contagious! Publishers, too, have responded with cartons of free books. Every child that attended the successful screening of HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS left with a copy of this classic tale. And it’s not just schools but several local social service agencies that benefit from Julianna’s energy and good deeds.
Where in the world is Julianna Baggot? Right here, in Tallahassee, and all over the world. It would certainly be nice to let her know how much her work is appreciated at home by honoring her as a Literacy Award Winner for 2008.
~Sharon Hartman
April Knight - Reading Coach Rickards High School
April Knight is a dynamic young teacher who is dedicated to inspiring our teachers and students to meet the literacy challenge. As reading coach for the past 3 years, she led Rickards to gain a letter grade of C, which we have maintained and are striving to improve. She is tireless in her efforts to help teachers incorporate and integrate effective strategies for working with students who may not have been successful in the past. Speaking softly and smiling frequently, she focuses her creative problem-solving skills on any obstacles she encounters. Her achievements include:
· Developed a reading curriculum for the Reading Classes
· Coordinator of the Saturday Camp tutoring in Reading & Math for 3 years
· Developed a Reading website with information for students, parents, and teachers
· Conducted teacher professional book study
· Provides professional development in reading
· Organizes yearly FCAT Rally
· Tutoring Coordinator and tutor for Celebrate New Life Tabernacle students K-12
· Member of Florida Literacy Coaches Association and Leon County Reading Council
Ms. Knight enjoys interacting with students and invests herself in extra-curricular activities as well. She has been a Volleyball Coach, Gospel Choir Sponsor, Class Sponsor, and this year organized the ESP (Extraordinary Sisters with a Purpose) to involve young women in community service. With all her energy, creativity, and the love of reading, it is no wonder that her list of long-term goals includes writing a novel – just one more facet of her interest in literacy!
~Diane Tatley and Robyn Grady
Shannon Ayrish - Teacher and Literacy Leader
A teacher who has been a guiding light to our Reading Council for many years, Shannon Ayrish is known among academic circles for her inspirational and insightful endeavors.
She has an almost unbelievable ability to gather information quickly and make it accessible to teachers. Examples of this would be the many internet web sites she has developed that give teachers/parents information on classroom management, her class (their blog and other tech savvy departures), summer workshops, and the Leon County Reading Council wiki site.
She is a global thinker who sees the course to follow and plans many ways to an end to meet the needs of her participants or students.
She is tireless, academically driven, and dedicated to her students and profession. Some may think she is really a magician due to the way she can do so many things well. The truth be told; Shannon can really do many things well at once! She doesn’t slow time down. She works BETTER, SMARTER with it!
Shannon has a generous, gentle and calm manner that welcomes others. When giving guidance to teachers through her research and vast knowledge, teachers are respected and encouraged to pursue their educational dreams.
SHANNON AYRISH has earned this recognition and honor for her unique ability to guide new and experienced teachers to succeed in finding their heart’s desire in education. Her students are so very LUCKY to have her as their teacher.
~Sharon Hinsley and Debbie Warner
Designed and built outdoor Learning Centers and wrote a grant for the students to research the history of Woodville School (a service learning project) and develop a history museum at the school.
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