Dunedin Teacher Wins 'Outstanding Educator of the Year'

Dunedin teacher Stephanie Whitaker was named Pinellas County's "Outstanding Educator of the Year" at the Evening of Excellence ceremony Monday night at Ruth Eckerd Hall.

Whitaker, 29, teaches fifth-grade ESOL at . 

As part of her reward, she takes a chauffeur-driven limo to work Tuesday (Feb. 28) to be greeted by her school’s principal, students and peers, according to a press release from the Pinellas Education Foundation.

Whitaker was chosen for her leadership initiatives at the local, state and national level and nominated for her , according to the press release.

Some of her achievements, activities, and awards include:

• Teacher Fellow Facilitator (TFF)
• Communities of Practice (CoP) Facilitator
• Elementary Science Curriculum writer
• Training Facilitator
• National School Reform Facilitator
• PCS Professional Development Inquiry Workshop Facilitator
• 2011 Progress Energy Gold Grant recipient
• National Science Educator Leadership Association participant

Meet Whitaker through her in December.

Evening of Excellence is an annual event that honors the county's best educators, business partners for its schools.