Lee County School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier speaks after receiving the Board of Directors Award at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, with schools still badly damaged, Lee County needed a school superintendent who could make things happen. Luckily, they had him.

Dr. Christopher Bernier helped the school system out of that wilderness with the help of the thousands of employees, parents and students whom he has led.

Though he won’t be the Lee County School Superintendent for long, as he will not run for the now-elected position, he was recognized on Saturday for the work he has done since taking over two years ago, and got to see the teachers who work under him get recognized.

Bernier was given the Board of Directors Award at the 22nd annual East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers.

Mike Welch, Chamber chairman, said there are some people you are lucky they passed your way. Bernier is among them, especially when you consider what ended up with just a few months into his job, a hurricane.

From left, Lee County Sheriff's Office Dep. Jacob Stanbro, Sgt. Travis Jelly, Dep. Earthen Brown and Lt. Gus Vallejo, at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO

“We were lucky to receive a new superintendent and he had a catastrophe on his hands we all experienced and the school district was up front,” Welch said. “Dr. Bernier rolled his sleeves up and put the school district back together. I don’t know anyone who could do that.”

Bernier deflected the praise to those who have worked under him, many of whom were in attendance, saying that it’s a team effort.

“There’s a reason why police officers, firefighters do what they do. They provide a service. There’s a reason why educators do what they do. They do it because they joined an organization where they wanted purpose and impact,” Bernier said. “Tonight, you reminded them they have that.”

The gala serves as the biggest fundraiser for the East Lee Chamber and to honor the best teachers, firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and the medical field in the area.

Mike Welch, Chamber chairman, said the gala serves to honor those in public service who go above and beyond and to give members an idea of the state of the area.

Firefighter Tanner Mack embraces Lehigh Fire & Rescue District Chief Robert DiLallo as County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass applauds at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO

“We are here to honor our teachers, firefighters, law enforcement and since COVID, a deeper appreciation for those in health care,” Welch said.

Welch always gives a “State of East Lee” address, and among the things he announced is the opening of a new school in the area.

“Money is being placed in the budget for planning, engineering and architecture for a new technical college in East Lee County,” Welch said. “However, not everything is enjoyable. Those in the service industry are facing the crisis of property insurance which trickles down to higher rent prices.”

Other award winners included Lt. Tanner Mack, who was named firefighter of the year for the Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District and Matthew McDaniel, who was named top EMS professional.

Sgt. Travis Jelly of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was named Law Enforcement Professional of the Year for the actions he and fellow officers took this past Christmas Eve when they had to take down an armed man during a domestic dispute. The man was wounded.

Lee County EMT Matthew McDaniel receives a Crystal Award from Lehigh Fire & Rescue District Chief Robert DiLallo at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO

Lee Health’s Healthcare Professional of the Year was LaToya Crispin and the Chairman’s Award winners for health care were Lehigh Regional Medical Center and Millennium Physicians Group.

Crystal Award teacher honorees include:

• Elementary Schools: Tamara Voodre, G. Weaver Hipps; Jeff Hammock, Gateway; Kayleigh Boberg, Harns Marsh; Sandy Charles, Lehigh; Brook Sanchez, Mirror Lakes; Cheyenne Grant, Sunshine; Susanne Bisplinghoff, Alva School; Valarie Shough, Tortuga Preserve.

• Middle Schools: Barbara Rebeor, Harns Marsh; Lynn Elmoudane, Lehigh Acres; Andrina Dennison, LeMual Teal; Kathleen Porter, Varsity Lakes; Jennifer Pagano, Veterans Park Academy for the Arts.

• High Schools: Elizabeth Lepore, East Lee County; John Schurr, Gateway; Jennifer Moyet-Nieves, Lehigh Senior.

Barbara Rebeor, teacher at Harns Marsh Middle School, receives her Crystal Award from School Board member Armor Persons and School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO

Rebeor said it takes a village to make a school work, as Bernier has always said.

“This is a team effort. The kids make us look good and I’m just a representative of so many phenomenal teachers in this district,” Rebeor said. “I’m so honored to get this award. We have so much talent here. They give their hearts and souls to what they do. It’s truly about the kids.”

Grant, who was a Golden Futures Scholar, said she was surprised to be picked over many other talented teachers.

“We’re always thinking about how we could improve. There’s always more to do and more kids to reach,” Grant said. “To be recognized for what I was already doing is awesome.”

Cheyenne Grant, a teacher at Sunshine Elementary School, receives her Crystal Award from School Board member Armor Persons and School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO

Jude and Sandy Charles at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO

County Commissioner Mike Greenwell and David Deetscreek at the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala on Saturday at the Plantation Golf & Country Club in Fort Myers. CHUCK BALLARO