NEWS RELEASE

The School District of Indian River County’s 2016 Teacher of the Year and 2015 School-Related Employee of the Year were announced at the January 29th Gala held in the Performing Arts Center at Vero Beach High School. The evening was charged with excitement and anticipation, as each of the participants was recognized and applauded. The auditorium was filled with family, peers, friends, and students who were there to cheer on their favorite teacher or employee. Commissioner Pam Stewart, Keynote Speaker, joined Dr. Fran Adams, Superintendent of Schools, in honoring the winners. And the winners are…

2016 Indian River County School District Teacher of the Year Kelli Mejia, 3rd Grade Teacher Fellsmere Elementary School 2015 Indian River County School District School-Related Employee of the Year Barbara Musselwhite, Extended Day Program Supervisor Technical Center for Career & Adult Education.

Both winners will now enter competitions for Florida Teacher of the Year and Florida School-Related Employee of the Year.

“What a pleasure it is to honor our teachers and employees of the year. I offer each of them my gratitude for their dedication and my congratulations for being named teachers and employees of the year,” said Dr. Adams. “My congratulations and best wishes to Kelli and Barbara, our District winners, as they enter their respective state competitions!!!” She added, “I deeply appreciate the Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart, coming to Vero Beach to help us honor our Teachers and Employees of the Year.”

“It is my honor to be here tonight to recognize some of our state’s outstanding teachers and support staff,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “My congratulations to Kelli Mejia for being named the 2016 Indian River Teacher of the Year and Barbara Musselwhite, as the 2015 Indian River School-Related Employee of the Year. Florida owes so much to our hard working educators and school staff. I am so appreciative of the work they do every day to help students find success.”