Fort Lauderdale High School staff voted for the 2024-2025 Instructional and Non-Instructional Employees of the Year. The winners were French teacher Madame Vanessa Liburd and clerical employee Ms. Elvia Umana. 

In Broward County Public Schools, the Employee of the Year award is a real institution. Each year, around September, staff are nominated, and the selection process begins.

Law and Media Studies teacher Dan Katz facilitates the staff voting, which is done anonymously. He takes his role seriously so that the voting is impartial.   

“It is rewarding to showcase the hard work that the staff does and it is always nice to see everybody getting all excited,” said Katz.

Both Liburd and Umana display modesty regarding their nominations.  

“I was very surprised. I didn’t think anybody would have ever put my name. So I never thought that would ever happen,” said Madame. 

“It’s an honor and a surprise that the staff thought of me, my objective isn’t just for me; it is for the school. I feel proud, a bit shy, but happy in this role,” Umana shared.

Madame Liburd’s personal journey has deeply marked her vocation as a French teacher. After repeating 6th grade, she promised herself to help others. 

“Every day, I try to make a positive impact on my students,” said Madame. “I am here to teach French, but if I can also give advice on life skills at the same occasion, I won’t hesitate.  Even if I make an impact only on one child, I have done my job. I wish to have a successful year and that -if not all- a majority of my students’ succeed in my class.”

Her students echo her sense of caring about them and how she positively influences them.  

“She is a really loving and respectful teacher. She loves helping people and she does a lot for the students everyday,” said Ester Saint-Jean (12).

Elvia Umana (the clerical of Building 17) is a remarkable person whose dedication and passion make all the difference. Before her promotion to a clerical position, she was a paraprofessional in the Exceptional Student Education department (ESE). 

“She does so much everyday behind the scenes and not everybody realizes that. She can find literally anything,”  said law and AP Capstone teacher Lisa London.

FLHS congratulates Madame Liburd and Ms. Elvia for their awards and thanks them for their dedication!