Whitehead Driskell named teacher of the year

In her classroom at Hillsborough High, signs hang that show a glimpse into the personality of math teacher Yolanda Whitehead Driskell.

"Diva," one reads.

"Most likely to dance to anything," says another.

"World's best teacher," reads one more.

That last one is pretty darn close.

Whitehead Driskell, 41, was named teacher of the year Thursday night in the Excellence in Education awards sponsored by the Hillsborough Education Foundation. In a school district with 15,468 teachers, she was named tops among the five finalists.

Fighting off tears and struggling to maintain her composure, she took a few deep breaths as she stood on stage at the Straz Center after her name was announced.

"Wow! This is really amazing," she said, taking time to thank her mother, brother, husband and other family members. "What an amazing night to be a teacher."

Halli Graver, a sophomore at the school, was the presenter for Whitehead Driskell earlier in the night.

"I wasn't good in math at all. I hated it," she told the crowd. "All that changed when I got to know her. She knew how to break it down. All because of her, now I love math. Thank you for believing in me."

The announcement of Whitehead Driskell as the top teacher was let out of the bag about a minute before it was supposed to when her photo announcing her as such was displayed on the large video screen on stage.

As the crowd prematurely hooted, hollered and got excited, Superintendent MaryEllen Elia tried to figure out what the buzz and the laughter was for. She had her back to the screen as she was set to make the announcement of the winner.

"I just looked at my husband and said, 'No way, it's a joke,' " Whitehead Driskell said afterward of seeing her photo flash up early.

It was no joke.

The former executive recruiter who has been a teacher for 11 years shows up at Hillsborough High this morning as the best in the county.

"It means the world to me," she said in between posing for photographs and getting hugs from well-wishers. "I know kids struggle with math. When they get that a-ha moment, it means everything to me."

Daisy Ramirez of Trapnell Elementary was named the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year and Leena Hasbini of Wharton High was named the instructional support employee of the year.

The other finalists for teacher of the year were Katy Cortelyou, a reading specialist at Kenly Elementary; Sue Creekmore, a fourth-grade teacher at Kingsway Elementary; Christine Danger, a science resource teacher at Robles Elementary; and Elisabeth Denisar-Babin, a writing coach at Dowdell Middle Magnet.

Those in attendance were treated to the best and brightest that Hillsborough schools have to offer, from song and dance to the finest culinary efforts.

Student presenters told of creative teachers who unlocked the doors to education for them. Some were referred to as magicians. They talked of janitors who are super heroes, rock stars and top-caliber chefs.

"This is really one of my favorite nights of the year," Elia said as the festivities began. "Miracles happen every day in Hillsborough County schools. Tonight is one of the opportunities to show that."