Fort Lauderdale High School awarded its Instructional and Non-Instructional Employee of the Year awards to two deserving individuals: English Teacher Vanessa Peña and General Clerk Rebecca Hill.

The Flying L faculty recognizes the dedication that staff members put into their craft, whether they are teaching the students or working to make the school a more organized environment for the school’s population.

The 2023-2024 Instructional Employee of the Year is Ms. Vanessa Pena.  

Not only does Peña work as an English teacher, she has also recently taken on the role of Literacy Coach. 

“I am passionate about the work I do, and to have my peers select me as Teacher of the Year for our school makes my work feel seen and appreciated,” said Peña.

She has put in so much hard-work into teaching because of her parents, using them as inspiration. 

“My parents migrated to America fleeing a civil war, and as their child, I witnessed firsthand the limitations people faced when they fell short in mastering the written expression of the English language,” explained Peña.

That shared experience of having a language barrier allowed Peña to find her calling of teaching. She felt empowered to help people learn to read and write. She was also influenced by her own teachers.

Growing up in Broward County, Peña wanted to pay it forward and inspire her own generation of students. 

As for what keeps Peña inspired? “My desire to help people find their power through knowledge is what keeps me inspired.”

The Non-Instructional Employee of the Year, Mrs. Rebecca Hill, has worked at FLHS for five years.   She is grateful to be recognized by her co-workers.

“It felt great,” said Hill. “I was very excited and I was honored to be chosen.”

A force to be reckoned with, Hill, has proven herself to be an exemplary model for this award.  

One staff member, her friend for 17 years, Mrs. Deborah Pelletier, has a particular appreciation for Hil and believes that Hill was extremely deserving for one simple reason.

“There’s nobody better,” said Pelletier. “She’s the kindest person I know, [she’s] wonderful inside and out.”

The commitment to their jobs and the journey to get there is what makes Peña and Hill such great candidates for Teacher and Staff member of the year awards!