Dwyer Awards: Top teachers, counselor lauded for commitment, excellence in education

Yahoo

06-05-2025

Seven educators in the Palm Beach County School District were given the Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education on May 5 at the Kravis Center, recognizing their leadership and contribution in a variety of subject areas.
Award recipients received $3,500, and finalists got $500. The awards, first given in 1984, are sponsored by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. They were established in honor of the late William T. Dwyer, a former vice president for Pratt & Whitney who led a variety of community education and business efforts.
William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens in named in his honor, and one of that school's educators is among this year's Dwyer Award recipients.
There were more than 450 nominees this year with four educators named as finalists in the categories of early education, elementary education, middle school education, senior high education, STEM education and exceptional student education.
"In our school district, being a Dwyer finalist, that's a bid deal," Superintendent Mike Burke told the educators in the audience. "Put that on your resume. We're very proud of all of our finalists."
Dwyer Awards 2024: Seven teachers honored as best of the best. What to know about them
Winners of the 2025 Dwyer Awards
Early Learning Education: Amy Winsor, Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8
Elementary Education: Ashli Fischer, Beacon Cove Intermediate
Middle School Education: Maxwell Slakoff, John F. Kennedy Middle
Senior High Education: Lisa Gilbert, Park Vista High
Student Advancement and Support: Tiffany Wilkes, William T. Dwyer High
STEM: Rob Sweeten, Boca Raton High
Exceptional Student Education: Jacqueline Hagan, Lake Worth High
Early Learning Education: Amy Winsor, Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8
Amy Winsor, a teacher at Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8
Nearly three decades in education has taught Amy Winsor that, in teaching preschoolers with learning challenges, progress is measured in small steps: an easily distracted autistic child sitting still to learn, a shy girl with Down syndrome partnering with a buddy and developing more social skills, an English language learner picking it up steadily.
Winsor, who teaches at Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8, has deployed tricks of the trade — songs that are fun to sing along with and that teach without seeming to, visual cards a student can see and hold that make it clear what's expected of them.
None of those tricks can substitute for the patience, determination and love that drives Winsor to help each child go as far as they can while under her tutelage.
"Seeing children make small gains leading towards developmental achievement brings such joy to my heart," Winsor said. "My 28 years of teaching have provided countless examples of students reaching their developmental learning goals."
Like many of Monday night's award recipients, Winsor was emotional when she was called to the stage.
"I've been teaching a really long time," she said. "This the first time I've had an honor. It's a little overwhelming."
Elementary Education: Ashli Fischer, Beacon Cove Intermediate
Ashli Fischer, a Beacon Cove Intermediate
In Fischer's class at Beacon Cove Intermediate, teaching young children with disabilities doesn't start with numbers or the alphabet.
It starts with Fischer doing the learning. Who is this little boy? What does this little girl love to do?
"From the moment my students step into our classroom, I want them to know how loved they are," she said. "I work from our first moments together to spark that connection that we will continue to build upon throughout the year. It doesn't happen effortlessly or overnight but comes from the intentional work of getting to know each other, in becoming invested in each other."
Fischer praised all of the Dwyer Award nominees as she accepted her award.
"I'm inspired by everyone in this room," she said. "I am honored to be among you."
Fisher's award application made clear she believes that students who have shared a little of who they are become more receptive to what she is prepared to teach them.
"I want to know their likes and dislikes, their dreams and fears," Fischer said. "I want them to know that I am always there when they need an encouraging word, someone to listen to or someone to wipe their tears. It is not about me getting to know the children, though. To be a classroom family, we have to all know each other."
Middle School Education: Maxwell Slakoff, JFK Middle
Maxwell Slakoff, band director at John F. Kennedy Middle School
Maybe it will be the trumpet. Or the drums. Could be the tuba.
There's no telling what instrument will light a spark in a student, but Maxwell Slakoff, a music teacher and the band director at John F. Kennedy Middle, wants to find out.
"My educational philosophy has always been to give as many students an opportunity to play an instrument and develop a lifelong interest in music," he said. "My goal is to help them develop habits and tools that are the most essential and beneficial in preparing them for high school band."
That philosophy is clearly working. In three years, student enrollment in band has skyrocketed from 11 to more than 120.
It's not just about the numbers, though. Slakoff's charges have put the school on the music map.
The school's concert band recently scored an "excellent" rating from the Florida Bandmasters Association, the highest rating for the school in 20 years. The drumline has picked up numerous awards and first place trophies. Invitations to perform have flowed in from historically Black colleges and universities, many of which are renowned for their music and marching skills.
Slakoff said he knows that the parents of many of his students did not attend college and that some of the students might not see college as a possibility. But the discipline and work it takes to learn how to read music and play an instrument, combined with knowing how to be a part of a team, changes some of those possibilities.
There was loud applause when his name was called Monday night.
"I'm just shocked and honored to be on this stage," he said.
Senior High Education: Lisa Gilbert, Park Vista High
Lisa Gilbert, a teacher at Park Vista High
Lisa Gilbert's AP psychology students at Park Vista High get a sense of what they are about to learn each day as they step into her classroom. They hear it in a song.
One day, it's "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds to kick off instruction about cognition and memory. Another day it's "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart as the students dive into material on the developmental stages of childhood.
In some ways, "Forever Young" describes Gilbert's approach to her chosen profession.
"Thirty-eight years teaching, and my enthusiasm remains as vibrant as ever," Gilbert said.
Gilbert's late husband was a teacher, as was her late father, who set an early example of the hard work and commitment it takes to excel as a teacher.
"I know right now, looking down, he is so extremely happy," Gilbert said.
Gilbert teaches more than 200 students in six sections of the course, far more than is typical. And her students thrive; nearly nine in 10 pass the course and score well enough on the exam to get college credit.
"By helping students understand themselves and others, especially in a fast-paced, techonology-driven world, I empower them to take control of their lives," Gilbert said.
Student Advancement and Support: Tiffany Wilkes
Tiffany Wilkes, a school counselor at William T. Dwyer High
Wilkes has handled a range of roles in her 27-plus years in education. She has been a social studies teacher. She's trained teachers, worked as an assistant athletics director and as an assistant principal. Now, she's a school counselor at William T. Dwyer High.
And she couldn't love it more.
Much of what she's done can be brought to bear in her current job, which she views not just as helping students academically but aiding their personal growth and encouraging them to set clear goals for the future.
"I strive to provide clear, tangible information to students and families, offer consistent support to help them overcome barriers and actively promote opportunities that steer them toward long-term success," she said. "These guiding principles shape my approach to student achievement and the strategies I've implemented to create an environment where every student can thrive."
Wilkes does not wait for students or parents to go to her. She is a near-constant source of encouragement and information, organizing progress and goal sessions for students in grades nine through 11 as well as a program for parents of at-risk students designed to help them understand what their child needs to do to earn a diploma.
"I love going to work every day," she said Monday night. "We truly have the best job in the whole wide world. Every single day, we get to have a positive impact on the future."
STEM: Rob Sweeten, Boca Raton High
Rob Sweeten, a teacher at Boca Raton High School
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a nonprofit organization that holds robotics competitions, has a saying that Rob Sweeten has come to embrace as a robotics, AP drawing and AP 2D art and design teacher at Boca Raton High.
"We do not build kids to use robots," the motto states. "We use robots to build kids."
That's been Sweeten's focus throughout his career. He introduced robotics to Boca Raton High four years ago.
"At the time, there were no other high school robotics classes in Palm Beach County, and the concept was largely unchartered territory," Sweeten said.
So Sweeten got to chartering it.
He teamed up with FIRST and got $8,000 in robotics parts. He designed coursework to teach students the fundamentals of design and how to build and code robots from scratch.
Sweeten pushed Boca High to expand its participation in local and national science competitions and fairs. And Sweeten's students have found success, with four students placing fourth in a category at the Palm Beach County Science Fair and three other students winning awards.
Those successes spurred more interest in robotics, and Sweeten has seen the number of students interested in his classes grow.
Sweeten started an AP 2D art course. Most AP classes have prerequisites, but Sweeten wanted his class to be open to all.
The Palm Beach County Commission honored Sweeten last year, declaring July 2, 2024 as "Rob Sweeten Day."
Still, looking at the crystal award all Dwyer winners were presented with Monday night, Sweeten said, "Dang, how did I get get this?"
He said the rewards of teaching are many, including the gratitude and success of students.
"Even this week, I heard from a kid I taught 30 years ago thanking me," he said. "He's in a metal band, but he still knows the quadratic equation."
Exceptional Student Education: Jacqueline Hagan, Lake Worth High School
Jacqueline Hagan, a teacher at Lake Worth High School
Jacqueline Hagan has helped students achieve success in the classroom by going beyond it.
Three years ago, she started the Pick-me-up Cafe, a student-led coffee club designed to develop vocational skills and provide students with real-world work experience.
"By taking orders from teachers via Google Form, preparing the drinks and delivering them, students gained a sense of purpose, independence and accomplishment," she said. "This initiative not only helped students practice important career skills but also gave them an opportunity to take pride in their work."
Hagan, who teaches students with special needs at Lake Worth High, didn't stop after the cafe idea. She launched the L Dubb Boutique, a student-run business where they design, create and sell holiday-themed products.
Through the boutique, students created miniature planters that look like turkeys and donated them to a local nursing home. They created personalized zipper pouches for all Lake Worth High staff.
Hagan has found other ways to help students through the Great Futures at Lake Worth High, a Boys and Girls Club program that offers homework help, English/language arts and math support. The program also helps students with cultural arts and STEM projects and teaches life and resiliency skills.
Hagan serves as the program's coordinator and manages a staff of 15.
She thanked her colleagues Monday night, crediting them for help and inspiration.
"This award is for all of us," she said.
2025 Dwyer Award Finalists
Early Learning: Heather Orloski, Citrus Cove Elementary; Catherine Terwilliger, Santaluces High; Andrea Kindell, Washington Elementary.
Elementary Education: David Allen-LoCaputo, Liberty Park Elementary; Dana Tate, Village Academy on the Art and Sara Jo Kobacker Campus; Maurice Humphrey, Pioneer Park Elementary.
Middle School Education: Shanna Lillis, The Conservatory School; Ashley Jones, Bak Middle School of the Arts; Adina Kerr, West Boynton Middle.
Senior High Education: Mark Salemme, Dr. Joaquin Garcia High; Brittany Stephens, Boynton Beach High; Kerry Grayson, Palm Beach Central High.
STEM Education: Erica Cheva, Olympic Heights High; Salam Shuhaiber, Emerald Cove Middle; Jennifer Barry, Western Pines Middle.
Exceptional Student Education: Christian Kahler, Highland Elementary; Megan Gonzalez, John I. Leonard High; Tamra Helman, Discovery Key Elementary.
Wayne Washington is a journalist covering education for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [e-mail]. Help support our work; subscribe today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Seven honored with Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education