When Suwannee Middle School teacher Melissa Brinson was chosen as one of the top five teachers from among 187,000 teachers in the state of Florida for 2006-07, she knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After attending the statewide recognition this week in Orlando, Brinson said she had an awesome time, met many talented teachers from throughout the state and is ready to get back into the classroom and share the incredible amount of new ideas she gained from the experience.

Named Suwannee County School District Teacher of the Year and then one of five from the state chosen as the top teachers of the year, Brinson is the first teacher from Suwannee County to be named to the top five, a huge honor.

This week she went to Orlando to be honored for this achievement as 35 friends, family and fellow educators cheered her on. Brinson said she came away from this prestigious event exhilarated. The event was the Macy’s Florida Teacher of the Year recognition held in Orlando July 11-12 with all of Florida’s district teachers of the year being honored, including Brinson.

“We had a wonderful time, the entire two days have been wonderful,” an excited Brinson said in a telephone interview immediately after the huge recognition banquet was held Wednesday, July 12, at the Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios in the evening. The elaborate banquet featured Deborah Norville, the Emmy award-winning journalist and anchor of “Inside Edition;” Antwone Fischer, author, screenwriter and producer; Macy’s Florida CEO Julie Greiner who traveled to Live Oak to congratulate Brinson when Brinson was named one of Florida’s top five teachers; and Florida Commissioner of Education John L. Winn. Brinson said a filmed segment of her in her classroom with her students and of the other four top five teachers was shown during the evening. Each one of the top five, along with the district winners from across Florida, were also recognized. Conney Dahn of Jensen Beach High School in Martin County was named the Macy’s Florida Teacher of the Year 2006-07 during the banquet.

“Macy’s has treated us so special, just wonderful,” Brinson said of Teacher of the Year sponsor. “Dinner was just wonderful tonight!” Brinson added that Suwannee County was well represented in Orlando. “We had 35 people representing Suwannee County and we all had a great time,” she said. Brinson said most of those who accompanied her to the banquet were attending a seminar in the area while others came down for this event.

The banquet was one part of the event. On Tuesday, July 11, Brinson said all of the teachers of the year from across the state were involved in mini sessions to help them gain more classroom teaching knowledge. “It’s just been a really, really good experience,” she stated. Brinson and the four other top five teachers gave speeches on their teaching philosophies July 11 to their fellow teachers. Yesterday, all of the honorees were to meet for breakfast and a time of sharing before they departed for home, ending a very special time for all concerned, yet all will represent their individual districts throughout the year. But, Brinson said, although the special recognition event is over, the top five teachers may still be asked to serve on special Florida Department of Education task forces on state education issues throughout the year.

Susan K. Lamb may be reached by calling 1-386-362-1734 ext. 131 or by emailing susan.lamb@gaflnews.com.