PCPS Announces District 1 Finalists for 2025-26 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year
It’s the final group of Inspire Awards finalists! Congratulations to our winners from District 1:
- Rad Bolt, Teacher of the Year finalist, band teacher, George Jenkins High
- Enil Alvarado Cordero, School-Related Employee of the Year finalist, ESOL paraeducator, Crystal Lake Elementary
Brief profiles of these two finalists can be found below.
PCPS has now recognized 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. 7 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.
Rad Bolt, George Jenkins High, District 1 Teacher of the Year
In addition to having a really cool name, Rad Bolt is a “superior” band director. Since he arrived at George Jenkins High in 2021, the school band has earned many impressive accolades, including two Straight Superior Awards from the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA). Bolt himself won the FBA’s Tom Bishop Award, in recognition of the impact he’s had at George Jenkins in such a short period of time. His students have flourished in their own music and academic careers, while Bolt has become highly regarded as a mentor for other directors in our district. It’s no surprise that the GJHS band is frequently requested for local parades and community events.
Bolt says his students are his most powerful inspiration. He requires them to maintain their GPAs to stay on track to graduate, or they’re not allowed to perform. Students are expected to give 110% to their music and studies — the same standard he upholds for himself. Administrators at George Jenkins High consider Bolt a “rare talent,” and they don’t take it for granted.
Enil Alvarado, Crystal Lake Elementary, District 2 School-Related Employee of the Year
As an ESOL paraeducator, Enil Alvarado Cordero’s job is to help students learn English. But she knows it’s much deeper than that. For an elementary school student, mastering a new language means becoming more confident, making connections with peers, and feeling accepted at school. Alvarado Cordero says it brings her great joy to assist students in their academic and social journeys.
Administrators say she contributes so much to Crystal Lake Elementary. Alvarado Cordero helps with parent-teacher conferences, IEP meetings, kindergarten registration, testing coordination, behavior initiatives, and more. She also provides support for Spanish-speaking families so they feel welcome and included in all facets of school life. In addition, she is a valuable partner to Crystal Lake’s teachers, working with them to create individualized plans to keep students on track in the classroom. Crystal Lake staff say they are lucky to have such an incredible colleague.
