Paula Berry, Wiregrass Ranch High School English teacher, was honored Saturday as Pasco County 2013 Teacher of the Year. Berry, who joined the district in 2008, said just being a finalist was the most humbling experience of her career. Principal Ray Bonti praised Berry as highly deserving. "If you put a Ms. Berry in every classroom in this country, this country would be the No. 1 education country in the world," he said before the award ceremony.

The other finalists were Sabrina Schmitz, Mitchell High, and Darcy Cleek, Long Middle. 

Other awards presented Saturday went to:

Chuck Hutinger, Information Services supervisor, Administrator of the Year

Christie Mitchell, Centennial Middle School clinic assistant, School-Related Employee of the Year

Steven Gandy, Weightman Middle School plant manager, Noninstructional Nonbargaining Employee of the Year