OKEECHOBEE– Yearling Middle School math teacher Kellyann Campbell earned District Teacher of the Year honors at the 2020-21 Okeechobee County Schools Employee Banquet on Jan. 22.

“Kellyann Campbell was an exemplary classroom teacher,” said Yearling principal David Krakoff, “guiding 99% of her students to reach proficiency on the state end-of-course exams in her algebra and geometry classes during her final year in the classroom in 2019. After being promoted to her current role as an instructional leader and coach, Mrs. Campbell has provided leadership to a math department that has performed the best of all YMS departments in terms of student proficiency and growth rates on state assessments.”

Yearling has now has back-to-back teachers chosen as District Teacher of the Year. Last year, Krista Stanley, was chosen by the district to represent Okeechobee at the state level. Mrs. Stanley went on to become Florida’s Teacher of the Year.

“Our school’s back-to-back District Teachers of the Year each proved what’s possible at our Title 1, highly diverse school where 98% of our families are economically disadvantaged,” explained Mr. Krakoff. “I share our school’s characteristics because historically, many across our country would describe our YMS school community as, ‘low expectancy’. We never agreed with that sentiment.”

“Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Stanley are two incredible examples of professional educators who are deeply committed to serving every student every day,” Mr. Krakoff concluded. “They live and act with a belief system of all students meaning all. And so does the rest of YMS staff.”
In a prerecorded video, Mrs. Stanley addressed her fellow Okeechobee teachers watching the banquet which was streamed online.

“It has been humbling to represent our great state and the incredible educators who serve our students,” Mrs. Stanley said. “Okeechobee has always held a special place in my heart. My family, friends and teachers have all made an impact on the person and educator that I am today. Tonight we celebrate each and every positive impact we’ve had on our students and reflect on our chosen career, one that we have all been so blessed to hold.”

Okeechobee Achievement Academy Pre-K teacher Taylor Douglas was named Okeechobee’s Project ONE Teacher of the Year at the employee banquet, while Human Resource secretary Ana Rhoden was chosen as District School Related Employee of the Year for Okeechobee County Schools.