Alyssa Smith PHOTO PROVIDED

Tortuga Preserve Elementary ESE Teacher Alyssa Smith has been named the Teacher of the Year by the School District of Lee County.

She was one of three finalists, along with Miguel Teixeira, the Peer Collaborative Teacher of Social Science at Lehigh Acres Middle School, and Sara Wechter, a teacher at Edgewood Academy.

Teacher of the Year candidates are nominated by their school principals. Applications are then reviewed by a team of District administrators and former Teachers of the Year. Semi-Finalists are then interviewed with three finalists undergoing asecond interview.

This year’s competition was “extremely competitive” District officials said.

Smith is in her sixth year of teaching at Tortuga Preserve in Lehigh Acres. Her focus has always been on Exceptional Student Education and she is currently a special education teacher in a Social Functioning classroom.

“I grew up in a household with two sisters who have special needs on opposite ends of a need’s spectrum,” Smith said in a prepared statement. “As long as I can remember, I have voiced that I wanted to be a teacher for children like my sisters. I believe that every student, no matter what their abilities, deserves every opportunity both in school and in life.”

Her principal praised her efforts, saying she is a strong child advocate.

“Smith is the ESE Contact/Grade Level Chairperson at Tortuga Preserve this year. She developed a K-5 Social Functioning Blended Scope and Sequence to ensure all student levels are being met and the three social functioning teachers are on track. Her attention to each student’s individual academic needs has led to every student in her classroom meeting their learning goals. Smith’s use of Zones of Regulation increased student compliance from 40% per day to 80%. Students are able to take control of their emotions by being asked if they feel either Green (ready), Blue (sad), Yellow (worried) or Red (mad), asked why they feel that way, and then given the tools and strategies they need if they are not in the green zone. “Alyssa makes every effort to be a child advocate,” said Tortuga Preserve Principal Jennifer Shonack in the District statement. “Her beliefs and commitment to her students go above and beyond. While working with her and observing her with her students, I have been continually impressed with her driving commitment to excellence…for herself and her students.”

As Teacher of the Year Smith wins a prize package valued at more than $3,000 and will now be nominated for Florida Teacher of the Year. The Florida Department of Education will announce the winner in the spring.

Teixeira, has been a teacher in the District and at LAMS since 2011. Civics EOC scores have improved the last three years because of his leadership, District officials said.

Wechter is in her sevent year with the District as a teacher and her first at Edgewood Academy. She teaches fourth grade and is the teacher lead for her grade level. She was previously at Orangewood Elementary and is credited with the school’s improved scores in math and reading.