Carla Nolan, a reading teacher at Sunlake High School, is Pasco County 2012 teacher of the year. A National Board certified teacher, Nolan, 46, instructs three classes of intensive reading and two drama classes while also serving as her school’s interim literacy specialist.

She wins accolades for her ability to differentiate instruction to individual student needs, helping the students use their own performance data to set goals and monitor their progress.

“I know in my classroom students enjoy my charisma. They are focused by my vision for the year, and they are confident in my knowledge of the subject matter, and of their needs. They are encouraged by my willingness to empower themselves to set their own goals,” she said in a statement to the Pasco Education Foundation, which sponsored Saturday’s award ceremony. ... Read more

For the third year running, Florida's teacher of the year is a finalist for the national honor.

Alvin Davis, a music teacher at Miramar High in Broward County, will vie for the 2012 recognition against teachers from Alabama, California and the Department of Defense.

"Alvin is a competent and passionate educator who makes sure his students have every chance for success," education commissioner Gerard Robinson said in announcing the news. "He knows that teachers are the most influential factor in a student’s academic accomplishments and I am honored to congratulate him for this nomination."

Hillsborough teacher Megan Allen was a national finalist in 2010, and Indian River teacher Cheryl Conley was a national finalist in 2011. More on National Teacher of the Year here.

From a Jan. 14 column by Justin Snider, contributing editor, the Hechinger Report: It’s no secret that American teachers spend many more hours teaching than their colleagues do in higher-performing nations. Elsewhere, teachers often teach fewer lessons each week than U.S. teachers, but they spend significantly more time on planning and collaboration. In Finland, for example, teachers teach an average of 600 hours per year (or 800 lessons of 45 minutes each). In American middle schools, by contrast, teachers teach an average of 1,080 hours per year (or about 1,300 lessons of 50 minutes each). Perhaps we should rethink the amount of time that U.S. teachers spend teaching vs. planning vs. collaborating? A well-planned lesson, after all, is worth any number of poorly planned (or unplanned) lessons when it comes to student learning.

Kelly Austin, a fourth-grade teacher at Bauder Elementary in Pinellas, recently sent an email to Florida Gov. Rick Scott, inviting him to spend a full week in her classroom. The goal: "so you can help me and my colleagues understand what more we can do." Austin agreed to let The Gradebook publish her email in its entirety, so here it is:

Governor Scott,
I would like to personally invite you to come to my classroom in Pinellas County, Florida for one entire week. I am a fourth grade teacher at Bauder Elementary School. Like so many schools around this country, state, and county, Bauder is an exceptional school where I am not only proud to work but proud that my own children attend. Many of our students go above and beyond state and national expectations. However, I have found as an aspiring administrator that the stress level of our teachers and students is at an all-time high. Many of our young teachers in this state leave the profession not just for the lack of pay but the constant pressure they endure on a daily basis to do more and more. Many of our veteran teachers say they are thankful to be at the end of their careers. With that said, most of us wouldn't do anything else with our lives because we know that the single most important thing we can do in our life is to educate children and help them reach their fullest potential. With that said, I invite you to visit my classroom for an entire week. ... Read more