TAVARES – Three Lake County teachers received a surprise visit today from Superintendent Diane Kornegay and a caravan of representatives from the district, the Education Foundation of Lake County, Jenkins Auto Group, AdventHealth, and Addition Financial Credit Union as they announced finalists for Teacher of the Year
The group delivered the exciting news to Michelle Deesi, a 3rd-grade teacher at Sorrento Elementary School; Kathryn Massengill, a 7th-grade civics teacher at East Ridge Middle School; and Randall S. Moore, an 8th-grade science teacher at Tavares Middle School.
Deesi, with 17 years of teaching experience, said her love of learning began early when her mother would read to her and spark her passion for books. She said she chose teaching “to inspire, support, and make a difference in the lives of students.”
Sorrento Elementary Principal Nicole Brouhard champions her efforts. “Mrs. Deesi’s teaching goes far beyond delivering instruction; she changes lives,” Brouhard wrote in her letter to the selection committee. “She dedicates extraordinary time, patience, and care to support students who need it most, meeting each child where they are and guiding them toward success.”
Massengill decided in 9th grade that she was going to be a teacher. Initially, she was drawn to early childhood and was determined to teach kindergarten. But when she taught middle school, she discovered a passion for civics education and grew excited about helping students learn about our country and experience civil discourse.
“Mrs. Massengill has built and kept a wonderful rapport with our students, teachers, parents, and staff,” wrote East Ridge Middle School Assistant Principal Aya Everett in her recommendation letter. “In her recurrent role as our Social Science Department Chair, she is a leader among her peers. She leads learning and informally mentors teachers within and outside her department.”
Moore said he became an educator “because education gave me choices in a world where I felt I had none.” He said he grew up under difficult circumstances and saw school as a way out. He wants to give to his students what he did not receive in his younger years – understanding, forgiveness, support, and accountability.
“Mr. Moore has built a sense of community within the science department at Tavares Middle School,” Principal Abigail Crosby wrote. “As department chair, he led our 8th-grade science scores to leap from 31 percent to 57 percent proficiency in just one school year. His leadership extends beyond the science department, collaborating with other content areas to assist in any way to increase their scores and students’ success.”
At the “InspirED by Excellence” celebration presented by Addition Financial, and hosted by The Education Foundation of Lake County on January 29, one of the three finalists will be named Lake County’s newest Teacher of the Year and will drive away with the grand prize, a 2025 Nissan Altima from Jenkins Auto Group. Additional prizes will be presented by Ernie Morris Enterprises, AdventHealth, and other community partners. The Lake County winner will go on to compete at the state level for the title of Florida Teacher of the Year.