Nine Key West High School teachers recently received a total of $65,000 from the David Wolkowsky 2022 Teachers of Merit awards. The annual awards have been distributed for more than 20 years by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys on behalf of late Key West philanthropist and businessman David Wolkowsky, who once owned The Pier House Resort. The recipients are selected by the administration at Key West schools.
The 2022 Teacher of the Year is Elizabeth Ford, who received $25,000. Eight other Teachers of Merit each received $5,000: Jennifer Bassett, student services; Tami Dannacker, exceptional student education; Shannon Duffy, science; Gary Hernandez, humanities; Neda Jackson, math; Dina Kinnune, reading; Nora Laubenstein, social studies; Kelly Roberts, English.
“On behalf of the entire Key West High School family, I would like to thank the David Wolkowsky Teachers of Merit awards fund,” said Larry Schmiegel, KWHS principal. “Our deserving awardees all demonstrated a strong commitment to re-engaging all students this school year as we returned from virtual learning. Their collective effort allowed us to significantly reduce the number of at-risk students while increasing our graduation rate.”
Attorney Joseph Lipsky, Wolkowsky’s grand-nephew, presented the checks to the teachers. “David Wolkowsky was a visionary who helped create Key West into the eclectic and vibrant community it is today. David valued education and wanted to recognize those hard-working and dedicated teachers who are often overlooked and underappreciated. I take great pleasure in being associated with the continuation of David’s gift to the community he loved,” Lipsky said.
In addition to the Wolkowsky awards, Lauren Albury received $1,000 as the 2022 recipient of the annual Harry and Linda Bryant Award. Albury was selected for her leadership in bringing back the school’s fashion design program and for producing a successful fashion show. Her students will be helping her design and create her own wedding dress.
Tampa area resident Liz Wooten-Reschke is a graduate of Key West High School and created the Harry and Linda Bryant Fund at the Community Foundation in 2020 in memory of her late parents, who lived and worked in, volunteered and financially supported the Keys for more than 40 years. Liz’s mother was a long-time English teacher at Key West High School.
“My parents gave countless hours, dollars and support to the Key West community,” she said. “It seems only fitting to honor their memory and their commitment by investing in educators at Key West High School.”To learn more about creating a Community Foundation fund to honor a family member or loved one, visit cffk.org or call 305-292-1502.
