Florida Teacher of the Year Named National Finalist

Friday, January 13, 2012

DOE Press Office (850) 245-0413

Florida Teacher of the Year Named National Finalist

Alvin Davis, Florida's 2012 Department of Education/Macy's Teacher of the Year, was today named a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year award by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Davis joins finalists from three other states for the prestigious title which honors educators who represent the teaching profession as their state's Teacher of the Year. This is the third year in a row that Florida has had a national finalist.

"My heartiest congratulations go to Alvin Davis for being named as a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year award," said Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson. "Alvin is a competent and passionate educator who makes sure his students have every chance for success. He knows that teachers are the most influential factor in a student's academic accomplishments and I am honored to congratulate him for this nomination."

Alvin Davis, a music teacher from Miramar High School in Broward County, was named the 2012 Florida Department of Education/Macy's Teacher of the Year and Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education in July 2011. Since winning the state award, he has travelled throughout the Sunshine State visiting schools and sharing information about education opportunities and challenges in Florida.

The National Teacher of the Year program, now in its 60th year, is a project of the CCSSO. A panel of educators, representing 14 national educational organizations, selected the finalists from the 2012 state teachers of the year in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and four U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. The winner will advocate on behalf of the education profession and collaborate with teachers and policymakers from across the nation on education issues.

The 2012 National Teacher of the Year will be introduced to the nation by the President in April 2012 and honored with a series of events in his or her honor. For more information about the program, visit http://www.ccsso.org/ntoy.html.