Central Park Elementary School Teacher Monika Moorman was honored as Teacher of the Year by Broward County Public Schools (BCPS). She joined Principal of the Year, Dr. Washington Collado from James S. Rickards Middle School, Assistant Principal of the Year, Louis Kushner from New Renaissance Middle School and School-Related Employee of the Year, Jacqueline Sanchez from Griffin Elementary School in receiving honors at BCPS’s annual Caliber Awards.
Each Year, BCPS recognizes the very best teachers, administrators, and employees at its Caliber Awards. The school district is the largest employer in the county, employing more than 34,000 people, making the recognition truly an honor.
This year’s awards perhaps meant a bit more as teachers had to overcome significant pandemic-related challenges. Moorman was also recognized by the City of Plantation, declaring March 10th “Monika Moorman Day.”
Mrs. Moorman is a 23-year veteran educator who has taught first through fifth grades, and has spent the last three years teaching fourth grade at Central Park Elementary School. Over the years, she has sponsored a variety of afterschool endeavors including Robotics Club, SECME Competition, BCCTM Math Competition, Solar Car League, Green Team and National Elementary Honor Society, to name a few.
Monika has filled many different roles at Broward County Public Schools. Her after-school activities include serving on the Broward Gifted Advisory Council board, being a Solar System Ambassador with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, be the school’s Space Foundation Teacher Liaison, and acting as National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward.
Mrs. Moorman considers education as a journey of self-discovery, where students are empowered to realize their full potential. She believes that it is the teacher’s responsibility to challenge the students to become inquisitive, assertive, self-aware, understanding the need for constant growth.
“The next generation should be taught,” she says, “to stand out rather than fit in.”
A polyglot, who enjoys exploring nature with a camera in her hand, Mrs. Moorman has learned never to underestimate students’ voices, as they have inspired her most memorable projects. Plantation is lucky to have a teacher like Mrs. Moorman helping our children learn and grow.
