Carol City Elementary teacher Alexandre Lopes was named Florida's Teacher of the Year at a ceremony in Orlando Thursday night.
Lopes, originally from Brazil, was selected from more than 20,000 teachers from around Miami-Dade and from among180,000 around the state of Florida for the honor. He leads a Learning Experience Alternative Program (LEAP), class for prekindergarten students. Many of his students are autistic, cannot speak or use the restroom on their own. He uses music and dance to teach and communicate with them.
"The theme of tonight's competition was 'Magic!' and Alex was definitely a step ahead," Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said in a statement. "He performs magic in his classroom every day, sharing his wonderful skills with challenged children who benefit from the magic he brings to them."
At the Hard Rock Live in Universal Studios, Lopes was awarded a $10,000 grand funded by the Macy's Foundation. He will also get an all-expenses paid trip for four to New York City to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He will also serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for education, touring the state to spread the word about educational opportunities and challenges in the Sunshine State.
Each finalist was selected on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service. The winner must also show a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.
Lopes will now go on to compete for the national title.