(Pictured L-R: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Governor Rick Scott, Penny Mickler, Bill Mickler, Principal Lee Zamora, Superintendent Tom Moffses, and CFO Jeff Atwater.)

Governor Rick Scott presented Penny Mickler the Governor’s Shine Award on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.  The Governor’s Shine Award was created to highlight teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty in pursuit of educational excellence.  The Shine Awards took place at the Capitol in Tallahassee.

Mrs. Penny Mickler is a 28-year veteran teacher currently teaching 2nd grade at Central Hamilton Elementary in Jasper, Florida. She has the motto “we learn having fun and we have fun learning”.  There is no challenge she will not conquer because giving up is not an option.  Mrs.Mickler is a confident instructor managing her classroom with creativity and enthusiasm.  Mrs. Mickler has high expectations for each of her students regardless of their ability level.  She has taught students with selective mutism, Austism Specturm Disorder (both low and high functioning), Learning Disabled, Language Impaired, Gifted, and students with behavior disorders. Mrs. Mickler has a “bag of tricks” that will engage even the most reluctant learner.  

Not only is Mrs. Mickler dedicated to and compassionate about her students, but to the entire school and community.  She is a peer mentor to new teachers, PLC leader, parent involvement committee member, district Gifted Learning coordinator, and was principal’s administrative assistant the last seven years.  Mrs. Mickler is currently participating in the Florida LEAD Teacher Network with the hopes of spreading her love of education even further.