Governor Scott Recognizes Seven Florida Educators for Military and Teaching Service
November 10, 2015
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Governor Scott Recognizes Seven Florida Educators for Military and Teaching Service
Jupiter, Fla. – Today, during a meeting of Florida’s Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott recognized seven outstanding educators with Governor’s Shine Awards. In honor of Veterans Day, all of the award recipients are active military or veterans. The Shine Award is presented to teachers and administrators in Florida who make significant contributions to the field of education.
Governor Rick Scott said, “These teachers bring valuable lessons from their military experiences to the classroom each day. As they prepare students for future success, these teachers offer students the opportunities to learn about leadership and service. I am proud to honor seven brave men and women today for their dedication to our country and to our students.
The following teachers were awarded the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Jacqueline Belisle, Miami-Dade County, Southwood Middle School, U.S. Air Force Reserves - Jacqueline Belisle has served as a teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 12 years. During the 2012-2013 school year, Belisle joined the United States Air Force Reserve. She aims to share the values of the United States Air Force with all her students and developed a school-wide initiative to align the civics curriculum across all grade levels. Belisle has completed Airmen Leadership School, has been recognized as the Project Citizen Region Winner and Airmen of the Month, and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Jordan Budisantoso, Miami-Dade County, Miami Northwestern Senior High School, U.S. Army Reserve - Jordan Budisantoso has served as a teacher in Miami-Dade County Public Schools for four years, and teaches algebra, advanced placement computer science, and introduction to software engineering. He has been recognized as having some of the highest learning gains in the State of Florida, and the percentage of his students demonstrating proficiency in algebra has more than doubled within two years. Budisantoso proudly serves as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve as the Signal & Communications Officer in Charge for the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne).
Lt. Col. José A. Martínez, Ret., Palm Beach County, Lake Worth Community High School, U.S. Air Force - Lieutenant Colonel José A. Martínez is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor for FL- 824 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and department chair for the Aerospace Science department. Martinez served as Commander of the U.S. Air Force Detachment 755 and Professor of Aerospace Science at the University of Puerto Rico, which resulted in commissioning the largest group of second lieutenants in 20 years. Prior to this assignment, he served at the Air Force Officers Accessions and Training School at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery Alabama as Chief, Support Division, Quality Advisor and Inspector General.
SFC Bret Mayo, Hendry County, LaBelle Middle School, Florida Army National Guard - Sergeant First Class Bret Mayo joined the 3rd Battalion 116th Field Artillery, of the Florida Army National Guard at the age of 17. During his first year of teaching, he won the “Brilliant Orange Award” for outstanding first year educators. Shortly after September 11, 2001, Mayo was first deployed, which had a significant impact on Sergeant Mayo and his students. In addition to volunteering to tutor students after school, he helps the School Resource Officer facilitate the Hendry County Sheriff Department’s Youth Explorer Cadet Program. Sergeant First Class Mayo will again be deployed again early next year.
Lt. Col. James L. Rodriguez, Ret., Palm Beach County, Atlantic Community High School, U.S. Army - Lt. Colonel Rodriguez is the Senior Army Instructor, Department Head, teacher, coach and mentor at Atlantic Community High School. He also assists in the coordination of all Army JROTC programs and activities in the district. His mission is to encourage cadets to become better citizens through hard work and a good education. Rodriguez’s military career has brought him to Australia, Hawaii, Arkansas and Texas.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Samuel Thomas, Ret., Hendry County, Clewiston Middle School, U.S. Navy - Samuel Thomas is a retired Information Systems Technician, Senior Chief Petty Officer with 21 years of honorable service in the United States Navy. He has been a Language Arts teacher for three years.
1st Sgt. Manuel Valdez, Ret., Broward County, Hollywood Hills High School, U.S. Army - First Sergeant Valdez served more than 20 years in the United States Army, and has worked in Broward County for 16 years as an Army JROTC Instructor. Currently, he teaches Leadership Education Training courses to grade 9-12 cadets. First Sergeant Valdez has received numerous awards and distinctions throughout his military career. He most recently received the Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for being recognized as the 2015 United States Army Cadet Command Army Instructor of the Year.
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