![Bonnie Bresnyan, right, of Lewis Elementary School, is introduced by her student escort, David Soto, center right, a student at University of South Florida, during the Hillsborough County School District's 2018 Excellence in Education Awards on Jan. 16, 2018. Bresnyan is the Hillsborough County School Disrict's 2018 Teacher of the Year. [GABRIELLA ANGOTTI-JONES | Times]](https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//FnEbvKt6pJN-086NezRrxCDV9Q0=/426x0/smart/filters:format(webP)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/06132624/TP_414830_ANGO_001_Hillteac.jpg "Bonnie Bresnyan, right, of Lewis Elementary School, is introduced by her student escort, David Soto, center right, a student at University of South Florida, during the Hillsborough County School District's 2018 Excellence in Education Awards on Jan. 16, 2018. Bresnyan is the Hillsborough County School Disrict's 2018 Teacher of the Year. [GABRIELLA ANGOTTI-JONES | Times]")
These finalists were named Friday for the Hillsborough County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Education awards for 2019:
Teacher of the Year:
Nicole Bates, Math Resource, Mendenhall Elementary
Anne Smith, Physical Education, Caminiti Exceptional Center.
Dakeyan (Dre) Graham, Instrumental Music, King High.
Scott Hottenstein, Social Studies, Barrington Middle.
Jeffrey (Jake) Van Hise, Fourth Grade, Gorrie Elementary.
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year:
Amalia Santiago, Gifted, Crestwood Elementary.
Tamon Williams, Third Grade, Foster Elementary.
Sandra Misciasci, Reading, Newsome High.
Unique Vernon, Social Worker, Stewart Middle.
Support Employee of the Year:
Le'Jean Michelle Miller, Kindergarten Assistant, Just Elementary.
Barbara Maxwell, Secretary, Dover Elementary.
Jordan Harris, Custodian, Stowers Elementary.
A thirteenth finalist was not immediately named, but will be added to this list later.
Winners in the three categories, chosen from among 686 nominees, will be named at a banquet on Jan. 24.
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