TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
District Rewards Lowry Teacher Who Delivers Excellence
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Published: May 13, 2008
TAMPA - Marlene Sacarello sat with her daughter at a Rays game last weekend and fantasized with her about what she would do if she won $10,000.
She could help her son with his law school loans, she said. Or maybe she would travel to Europe. She wasn't really thinking she would win the money. But wouldn't it be nice?
She found out Monday. A second-grade teacher at Lowry Elementary, Sacarello took her class to an assembly she thought would focus on fitness and music. Instead, Superintendent MaryEllen Elia surprised her with the announcement that she had won a district award and a check for $10,000.
Sacarello looked stunned as Elia read her name.
"Oh, my God!" she mouthed, pressing her hand on her chest.
Sacarello, 56, became the second winner of the Hillsborough County School District's "We Deliver" award for excellence. The award recognizes a district employee who "delivers miracles every day," making extra efforts for students or coworkers.
"I am so thrilled with joy I can't even think," Sacarello told the students and teachers who gave her a standing ovation. "You have made my day."
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 said. 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.
A teacher for almost 30 years, 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, said Principal Kathy Coto.
Sacarello also embraces Grandparents' Day, Coto said, combining it with "Read to Me Day" to encourage students and seniors to bond.
"She works hard and teaches us to learn and have fun," 8-year-old Katie Cramer said.
Katie said her teacher should spend her winnings on a big-screen television. Classmate Haley Lindbak thought Sacarello should travel. She deserved the award, the 8-year-old said.
"She's a great teacher," Haley said. "She's always real nice to us."
An anonymous donor contributed the prize through the Hillsborough Education Foundation. Sacarello received $10,000 for first place and $1,000 went to each of the finalists. They are Sandra Layman, an exceptional education teacher also from Lowry; Shari Storch, a fourth-grade teacher at Apollo Beach Elementary; Greg Verrill, technology teacher at Lomax Elementary Magnet; and John Wehust, technology specialist at Stewart Middle Magnet.
Sadie Douglas, a teacher's aide who works with special-needs students at Seminole Heights Elementary, won the first award last year. She attended the ceremony for Sacarello, hugging her afterward.
Winning "We Deliver" was the biggest surprise she ever had, Douglas said, and one of the greatest days of her life.
"I'm still celebrating," she said.
Sacarello knew she was nominated, but the district went to great lengths to keep the award quiet.
Lowry's principal had called her husband, Jim, and daughter, Jennifer Griffin, on Friday to invite them to see Sacarello receive an award but swore them to secrecy and would not give details.
Coto, the principal, brought second- and fourth-grade classes to the school's covered play court, telling them they would see a program on getting fit with music.
A bin of basketballs and soccer balls seemed to back up the story.
Coto said the media and special guests - the superintendent, school board members and Hillsborough Education Foundation members - had come for the program, and she turned it over to Elia.
Elia fessed up that she had tricked them.
Sacarello said she hadn't suspected anything. She was going to need the day to process what had happened.
"I won't be able to teach," she joked, "that's for sure."
WHAT THEY SAID
Parents and co-workers expressed enthusiasm for Lowry teacher Marlene Sacarello. Here is some of what they said when they nominated her for the "We Deliver" award:
•"She always encourages students to reach their highest potential by participating in academics while constantly striving to incorporate family participation," Assistant Principal Michelle Spagnuolo said.
•"With patience, kindness, humor and humanity she crafts lessons, builds character, strengthens resolve, soothes fears and inspires a love of learning that you can watch her students drink in and make their own," parent Julie Escobar said.
•"Most teachers teach to make a living. Marlene Sacarello lives to be a teacher," parent Lori Smart said.
Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( LutzLady ) on May 13, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Nice to read something positive about a teacher for a change. Congratulations Ms Sacarello
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Posted by ( flea ) on May 13, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Lutzlady, I toally agree.
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