TAMPA – Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough Education Foundation and others surprised 13 employees Dec. 2 with news that they were finalists for the 2025 Excellence in Education Awards.
Surprise visits to schools help put a spotlight on staff considered for the Teacher of the Year, Instructional Support Employee of the Year, and Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year.
Hillsborough County Public Schools considered more than 650 nominees across the three categories to determine the best of the best in the nation’s seventh largest school district.
Finalists are as follows:
Teacher of the Year Finalists
- Adam Wilinsky, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Pride Elementary School.
- Roxanne Coriell, kindergarten teacher at Hunter’s Green Elementary School.
- Brandie Palmer, a science resource teacher at Springhead Elementary School.
- Montine Vona Pergola, an English teacher at Newsome High School.
- Henry Bryson, an AICE history teacher at Leto High School.
Instructional Support Employee of the Year Finalists
- Bonnie Walters, a secretary at Tampa Palms Elementary School.
- Norma Borges-Garcia, a bilingual Spanish aide at Mort Elementary School.
- Holly Mulholland, an ESE Unique Aide at Claywell Elementary School.
- Susan Blackmon, an ESE Para at Oak Park Elementary School.
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year Finalists
- Sherriann Johnson, a school nurse at Gibsonton Elementary School.
- Antonyia McCray, a success coach at Freedom High School.
- Edna S. Martinez Navarro, a Spanish teacher at Gaither High School.
- Alexander Cintron Marrero, a physical education teacher at Sgt. Smith Middle School.
