PCPS Announces District 3 Finalists for 2024-25 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year
Congratulations to our next group of finalists for the 2024-25 Polk County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year!
From District 3:
- Danielle Emmons, Teacher of the Year finalist, agriculture teacher, Willow Oak School
- Joaida Kist, School-Related Employee of the Year finalist, ESE paraeducator, Mulberry High
Brief profiles of these two finalists can be found below.
PCPS is recognizing finalists from all seven districts, and the overall winners will be announced at the Inspire Awards presented by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. The Inspire Awards will be held on Nov. 8 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The Polk Education Foundation and PCPS’ Department of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships collaborate to present this annual event.
During the event, finalists will be recognized with video tributes and receive sponsored gifts. The Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year will receive a cash prize generously donated by title sponsor MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.
Finalist profiles:
Danielle Emmons, Willow Oak School, District 3 Teacher of the Year
You might say that Danielle Emmons is a PCPS pioneer. At Willow Oak School, she piloted our district’s first agriculture program for elementary students, giving them hands-on knowledge about sustainable ag practices and scientific concepts. She also has spent time running an after-school STEM club, helping out with campus beautification projects, and organizing a Farm Day event in collaboration with Mulberry High’s FFA program.
Emmons is always looking for ways to increase and share her knowledge. She was a participant in our district’s Leading From the Classroom initiative, and serves as a mentor for teacher interns. Willow Oak administrators say she is well known for getting results in the classroom by keeping students engaged, and making them feel safe and loved. Emmons has been described as a “quiet yet steady” leader, and a “true professional” in her field. She’s a big reason why Willow Oak is growing strong.
Joaida Kist, Mulberry High, District 3 School-Related Employee of the Year
Joaida Kist says her biggest accomplishment in life is raising her children — and she brings that same level of devotion and pride to caring for her “kids” at Mulberry High. Kist has an extensive background serving ESE and ESOL students. She organizes field trips for ESE students that provide a variety of real-world experiences and teach practical life skills. She also helped the ESE students start an on-campus café for MHS faculty, which allows the students to develop business and customer service skills. Outside of her instructional work, Kist spends countless hours fundraising and building community support for programs that benefit her students.
MHS administrators describe Kist as “small but mighty.” She is well known for her dedication to students, as well as her extraordinary work ethic. You can regularly find her at school events, and she has an infectious, friendly energy. But most importantly, Kist is a champion for students of all abilities; she believes that everyone should be given equal opportunity to learn and grow. MHS teachers and staff say they are humbled to work alongside her.
