East County school employees named finalists for excellence awards

Four East County school employees are finalists for the School District of Manatee County's Educator and Support Employee of the Year awards.

Debra McCarthy, a language arts teacher at Lakewood Ranch High School, and Jessica Spence, a first grade teacher at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, are among the four finalists for Educator of the Year.

The other finalists are Katie Bagley, a third grade teacher at Prine Elementary School, and Joadie Durfee, a fifth grade teacher at Barbara A. Harvey Elementary School.

Patrice Cairo, a computer lab manager at Gene Witt Elementary School, and Patricia Pearson, a clerical assistant and attendance clerk at Braden River Middle School, are finalists for Support Employee of the Year.

Denise Costello, a paraprofessional at Sea Breeze Elementary School, and Jennifer Harper, a pre-K child development associate at Williams Elementary School, also are finalists for Support Employee of the Year.

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The School District of Manatee County will announce the Educator of the Year and Support Employee of the Year at the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 8 at Manatee High School.

The winners will advance to the Florida Teacher of the Year program and the Florida School-Related Employee of the Year program.