Davenport reading specialist, Haines City guardian are finalists for Polk school awards

Heather Carlson is the finalist for Polk County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year from District 2, and Lenord Washington is the finalist for School-Related Employee of the Year.

Carlson, a reading interventionist at Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy in Davenport, has been named Teacher of the Year three times at the school level, according to the district’s website.

As a reading interventionist, Carlson has had a significant impact on the academic gains of Citrus Ridge students, the district said. She helps with safety drills, communicating with families and special events.

Washington is a school safety guardian at Sandhill Elementary in Haines City. He retired after 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, the district said.

Every year, Washington sings the national anthem for Sandhill’s Veterans Day Celebration. He’s also been known to go above and beyond to assist parents and community members in need, the district said.

Polk County Public Schools is recognizing finalists from all seven districts, and the overall winners will be announced at the Inspire Awards, held on Nov. 8 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

The district previously announced the finalists from District 1 and District 7.

In District 1, Ronald Shell Jr., a math interventionist at Oscar J. Pope Elementary in Southeast Lakeland, was the finalist for Teacher of the Year, and Manami Naito, a paraeducator Crystal Lake Elementary School, also in Southeast Lakeland, was the finalist for School-Related Employee of the Year.

In District 7 , the Teacher of the Year finalist was Jacqueline Chavira, a second-grade teacher at Polk City Elementary, and the School-Related Employee of the Year finalist was Janet Miller, a night custodian at Lake Gibson High School

District 2 includes 19 schools in Northeast Polk County:

• Alta Vista Elementary
• Bella Citta K-8 (Elementary)
• Bella Citta K-8 (Middle)
• Bethune Academy
• Boone Middle
• Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy
• Daniel Jenkins Academy
• Davenport Elementary
• Davenport High School
• Davenport School of the Arts
• Eastside Elementary
• Haines City Senior
• Horizons Elementary
• International Baccalaureate East
• Lake Marion Creek Middle
• Laurel Elementary
• Loughman Oaks Elementary
• Ridge Community Senior
• Sandhill Elementary

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Davenport reading specialist, Haines City guardian are finalists for Polk school awards