Studer Community Institute

Local teachers earn governor's award

November 17, 2014
/ Staff Reports
/ training-development

Gov. Rick Scott saluted six teachers who formerly served in the military, including two from the Pensacola Metro area. James Moretz of Northview High School, and Dan Schmidt of Milton High School, received the Governor’s Shine Award for their service to their country and their contributions to Florida’s students. The award is annually given to Floridians who have positively made an impact on children through education. Moretz is a U.S. Navy veteran who retired in Pensacola. After his naval career, Moretz worked for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Escambia County School District as a resource deputy for eight years. He used the G.I. Bill to return to college, where he earned two associate degrees from Pensacola State College and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of West Florida in 2012. He now is in his third year of teaching U.S. government and economics at Northview High School. Schmidt is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is the recipient of many awards, including three Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He currently serves in the Florida Army National Guard as the Battalion Commander of 2-116 Field Artillery. Schmidt has been teaching secondary mathematics in Santa Rosa County for 16 years. He coordinated afterschool Alegebra and Geometry End of Course review sessions at Milton High School. Schmidt also developed an Energy Academy at the school that connects business, industry, the community and education to provide educational and career opportunities to students. Earlier this month, Gov. Scott proclaimed November as Hire A Veteran Month. In lauding the recipients of the Shine Award, Scott said he was honored to thank teachers who went from serving their country to serving students in the classroom. “These teachers have gone above and beyond the call of duty by preparing our students today for the jobs of tomorrow,” he said. To read more about the winners, go to: http://www.flgov.com/2014/11/12/governor-rick-scott-honored-six-florida-teachers-with-governors-shineawards/ For an image of James Moretz with the governor’s cabinet, go to: http://www.northescambia.com/2014/11/northview-high-teacher-moretz-receives-governors-shine-award

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Local teachers earn governor's award

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