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Hillsborough Teacher Who 'Delivers Miracles Every Day' Wins $10,000

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 12, 2008

TAMPA - A Lowry Elementary School teacher thought she was taking her class to an assembly on fitness and music. She left $10,000 richer.

Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools MaryEllen Elia surprised Marlene Sacarello this morning by announcing that Sacarello had won the district's We Deliver award for excellence.

The award recognizes a district employee who "delivers miracles every day," making extra efforts for students or co-workers.

Sacarello, 56, pressed her hands to her chest and mouthed, "Oh, my God," as Elia read her name. She later said she had no idea she would win. Her principal had invited second- and fourth-grade classes to an assembly on fitness and music, but at the start of the assembly, Elia broke in to tell the students she had tricked them.

Teachers gave Sacarello a standing ovation. Her husband, Jim, and daughter, Jennifer Griffin, stepped out from a hallway where they had been hiding and gave her flowers and hugs.

"I am thrilled beyond words," Sacarello said. "I cannot express to you what is racing through my mind right now."

Students, parents and educators nominated 387 employees – not only teachers – through an online system in February. A 20-member committee met twice to narrow the pool to 71 candidates and then to five finalists, reading nomination forms with names redacted to make their decisions. Elia selected the winner from the finalists.

Sacarello stood out because of how she challenges students and involves families, nominations state. Elia read from one that said, "Hillsborough County should feel honored to have her as one of their teachers."

"We do feel honored," Elia said.

Sacarello has coordinated six area schools to participate in a young writers conference for the past two years, and she runs a storytelling troupe at Lowry. Children of all abilities develop self-confidence as they learn to perform as they narrate stories, Principal Kathy Coto said. Sacarello also embraces Grandparents' Day, Coto said, teaching her students about other cultures, languages and experiences.

The award comes with a $10,000 prize funded through the Hillsborough Education Foundation. In 2007, Seminole Heights Elementary School speech, language and hearing aide Sadie Douglas won the first award. She attended the ceremony for Sacarello, hugging her in congratulations.

Winning We Deliver was the biggest surprise she ever had, Douglas said, and one of the greatest days of her life.

"I've never been surprised like that before – never," she said.

Elia also announced the other finalists, each of whom will receive flowers and $1,000. Lowry Elementary had a finalist as well as the winner. Sandra Layman, an exceptional education teacher, started a community service club after school and "unselfishly motivates everyone around her," Elia said.

Shari Storch, a fourth-grade teacher from Apollo Beach Elementary, was praised for inspiring her students and instilling lifelong lessons in caring, Elia said. She praised finalist Greg Verrill, a technology teacher from Lomax Elementary Magnet School, for working long after the schooldays ends as he coaches the school's robotics team and oversees students in the Saturday enrichment program.

Students described the fourth finalist, John Wehust, technology specialist, as the "most helpful person" at Stewart Middle Magnet.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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