Celebrating Excellence

Collier County Public Schools Honors Employees of the Year

Fred Rimmler

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In a heartwarming annual tradition that highlights the extraordinary contributions of our school district’s staff, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) proudly announces its Employees of the Year. These remarkable individuals were selected for their unwavering commitment to excellence and their lasting impact. The celebration began with a series of surprise visits, where CCPS Superintendent Dr. Leslie Ricciardelli, along with members of the District’s Senior Leadership team, had the honor of personally delivering the good news to each recipient. The smiles and surprised looks were truly unforgettable moments that spoke volumes about the passion of these public servants.

Employee of the Year Honorees

This year’s diverse and outstanding group of honorees includes:

Frederick Rimmler – Immokalee High School’s Engineering and Robotics teacher, is our Collier County Nominee for Florida Teacher of the Year. “It was a nice reunion seeing everyone. The [school] administration has been extremely supportive of all our Career and Technical Education Academies,” explained Mr. Rimmler moments after the Superintendent and other familiar faces came into his classroom. “I also want to give a shout-out to our guidance team because they are amazing when it comes to recruiting and scheduling for CTE programs.”

Patricia Hendry

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Patricia Hendry – A steadfast presence at Naples High School, Hendry serves as secretary to the activities coordinator and is recognized as the Collier County Nominee for Florida School-Related Employee of the Year. “I would love to thank my administration, especially Mrs. [Kristina] Lee, my current activities coordinator Cassie Barone, my former athletic director Ernie Modugno, and former principal Darren Burkett,” Ms. Hendry said after the announcement.

Lynne Eastman and Summer Baker

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Summer Baker and Lynne Eastman – These two outstanding co-teachers at Estates Elementary School are being honored as the Outstanding Elementary School Teachers of the Year. Their collaborative approach to teaching third-grade students has fostered an environment of creativity, support, and academic excellence. “I have been teaching for decades and left for nine years but decided to come back because my heart was here,” said Lynne Eastman. [Summer] and I fit so well together, as far as being a professional fit with each other.”

“I was lucky enough my first year to meet my co-teacher,” remarked Summer Baker. “The students, the administration, and the support we have at the school are the reasons why we are where we are.”

Maria Hill

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Maria Hill – As the Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year, Hill has been a driving force at Oakridge Middle School. Her passion for science and her ability to make complex topics accessible to students has earned her the admiration of both her students and colleagues. “Thank you so much to the leadership here at Oakridge, to the leadership at CCPS, who allow me to be the teacher that I am and who have invested in me as a teacher,” remarked Ms. Hill. “I have the best students in the world.”

Shawn Kelly

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Shawn Kelly – At Gulf Coast High School, Kelly, a Career and Technical Education teacher, is named the Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year. His work preparing students for successful careers in fields such as technology and engineering is shaping the future workforce of Collier County. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with these people, with my principal, Ms. Lonergan.  It is an incredible experience just to be here with these young people and to watch them grow,” Mr. Kelly said during the surprise visit.   

Lacey Dodd – As the Outstanding Post-Secondary Teacher of the Year, Dodd, a Surgical Technology instructor at Lorenzo Walker Technical College, has been instrumental in providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the healthcare field. Her dedication to her students’ success is truly inspiring. “I was a student and then I came back to teach. I can speak from my own experience, and [students] can relate to that,” Lacey Dodd explained. “I really feel like I am giving back, and they give back to me as well.”

We appreciate the schools that submitted nominations, the teachers and administrators who wrote letters of recommendation, and the CCPS Professional Learning Department for their invaluable support of this annual recognition.

Looking Ahead

While the official recognition will take place at the May regular school board meeting, the celebration is already in full swing across CCPS’s social media channels. Looking ahead, we encourage all CCPS staff to consider potential nominees for next year’s awards. No doubt, there are many deserving nominees.