Alachua County Public Schools announced the three finalists for the 2017 Teacher of the Year program. The winner will move on to represent Alachua County in the Florida Teacher of the Year contest.
Susan Surrency, the elementary school finalist, has been a teacher in the district for nearly three decades. Although she currently teaches fourth grade at Chiles Elementary School, she has worked in both math and language arts education at all grade levels.
“It is essential that our students be taught to be responsible, independent, lifelong learners,” Surrency said, in a statement.
Lauren Marlowe, the middle school finalist, has been teaching language arts and reading at Oak View Middle School since 2013. She established the school’s peer tutoring program the following year.
Amy MacCord has spent her career in education at Hawthorne Middle and High School, where she teaches at both levels. She was nominated for her work in high school English and theater. She said her goal as a teacher is to find a way to meet each student’s individual needs.
One of these three educators will be awarded at the Robert W. Hughes Alachua County Teacher Recognition event Thursday. Along with 36 other teachers, each finalist will receive cash awards and donated gifts.