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.

The other two teacher of the year finalists were Christina Page, Pasco High science teacher, and Janet Tolson, Seven Springs Middle math teacher.

The foundation also honored top employees in other categories. They are:

• Saybra Chapman, employee benefits supervisor, as administrator of the year

• Betsy Eanes, employee relations secretary, as nonprofessional, nonbargaining employee of the year

• Laura Hauser, Wesley Chapel Elementary media technology assistant, as school-related employee of the year