Congressman Vern Buchanan announced that eight teachers in the 16th Congressional District were chosen for the Congressional Teacher Awards. The Congressional Teacher Awards, established by Buchanan in 2014, are given out annually to special Suncoast teachers for their outstanding achievements on behalf of students. The congressman honored the recipients during a recent ceremony at the Manatee County Board of County Commission Chambers in Bradenton. This year’s award recipients include: Michelle Brewster for her accomplishments as a sixth-grade Math teacher at Eisenhower Middle School; Karen Lewellen, for her accomplishments as a Math teacher at State College of Florida Collegiate School; Carrie Ling, for her accomplishments as a Math and Science teacher at Braden River Elementary School; Nelson Lopez for his accomplishments as an ELA and Journalism teacher at Palmetto High School; Barb Rannigan, for her accomplishments as a third-grade teacher at Alta Vista Elementary School; Es Swihart for her accomplishments as an English teacher at Riverview High School; Terri St. John for her accomplishments as an English teacher at Sarasota High School; and Deborah Walker, for her accomplishments as a sixth-grade Science teacher at Sarasota Military Academy Prep. An independent panel of three judges from Florida’s 16th District chose the recipients of the Congressional Teacher Awards. All of the nominated teachers were also recognized in the Congressional Record for their achievements.

Congressional Record