A dozen Pinellas County teachers have been chosen from an initial pool of more than 75 as this year's Outstanding Educator of the Year semifinalists. They are:

• Jennifer Anderson, East Lake High School
• William Barlow, James B. Sanderlin IB World School (K-8)
• Michelle Brennan, Safety Harbor Elementary
• Becky Bride, Palm Harbor University High School
• James Gill, Seminole Vocational Education Center
• Christine Joseph, Skycrest Elementary School
• Krista Kelleher, Sawgrass Lake Elementary School
• Jennifer Klimis, Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary School
• Debra Maccini, Douglas L. Jamerson Elementary School
• Daniel Regan, Pinellas Park High School
• Jean Wark, Perkins Elementary School
• Joanne Wright, Safety Harbor Middle School

The finalists will be announced in January, with the winner named on Feb. 25.

"It’s always a great pleasure to celebrate the accomplishments of the dedicated professionals who have committed their lives to educating our children," superintendent Mike Grego said in a news release. "This year’s Outstanding Educator semifinalists are truly representative of all those who strive day in and day out to deliver their best. I offer them my heartfelt congratulations and thanks for all they do."

The district also announced Support Employee of the Year semifinalists on Wednesday. They are:

Direct Involvement

• Aymarah Benz, Bauder Elementary, ESE Associate
• Lori Gooding, Dunedin Elementary, ESE Associate
• Gregory Hinton, Lakewood High, Campus Monitor
• Amy Putnam, Cypress Woods Elementary, High Needs Associate
• Sandra Sumner, Shore Acres Elementary, ESE Associate
• Irma Vargas, Skycrest Elementary, Bilingual Assistant I
• Kathy Weller, Blanton Elementary, Title I Paraprofessional

Indirect Involvement

• Tameaka Brown, Gibbs High, Office Clerk I
• Mary Heldt, East Lake High, Senior Data Technician
• Anita Herman, Frontier Elementary, Secretary/Bookkeeper
• Cassandra Holt, James B. Sanderlin PK-8 IB World School, Secretary/Bookkeeper
• Melodie Moreno, Leila G. Davis Elementary, Family & Community Liaison
• Essie Sneed, Tomlinson Adult Learning Center, Secretary/Bookkeeper 
• Debra Stotts, Largo Middle, Office Clerk I

Limited Involvement

• Patrick Curry, Melrose Elementary, Head Plant Operator
• Katherine Dickinson, Curlew Creek Elementary, Secretary/Bookkeeper
• Jeffrey Frey, Walter Pownall Service Center, Carpenter Journeyman
• Kristy Hayes, Ponce de Leon Elementary, Secretary/Bookkeeper
• Hilda Henley, Administration Building, Secretary to Assistant Superintendent
• Lisa Packard, Administration Building, Clerk Specialist I
• Jerry Reynolds, Countryside High, Head Plant Operator

The winner will be named on Jan. 18.