We've done it again!

For the third time in the past four years, Broward County Public Schools is home to the Florida Region V Teacher of the Year. That's right, Ms. Jane Koszoru, Broward's Teacher of the Year 2004, is one of five finalists from around the state now up for the title of Florida Teacher of the Year 2004.

The other Region V Teacher of the Year winners from Broward County were Joe Balchunas (01) and Henry Brown III (02), both of whom went on to be named back-to-back Florida Teacher of the Year winners. That was the first time in history a district had back-to-back Florida Teacher of the Year winners. The Florida Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by Burdines.

Ms. Koszoru is a teacher at the College Academy @ BCC, a program that allows high school students to earn their high school diploma at the same time they earn their Associate's degree from Broward Community College. She is the first teacher from the College Academy to be both nominated for and be named Broward's top teacher.

To break the good news to Ms. Koszoru, Florida Education Commissioner Jim Horne visited the College Academy, along with Broward's Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Frank Till, on Monday, May 19th. In addition, members of Ms. Koszoru's class, as well as family members, some of whom traveled to South Florida, were part of the surprise event.

READ MORE ABOUT BROWARD'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2004