Vero Beach Instructor Among Four Finalists for U.S. Teacher of the Year

Cheryl Conley, Florida's 2011 Teacher of the Year, is among four finalists to be National Teacher of the Year.

Conley, fourth-grade teacher at Osceola Magnet Elementary School in Vero Beach, has taught a total of 11 years, the last four at Osceola Magnet.

Conley and three fellow finalists -- Annice Brave of Illinois, Michaelle Shearer of Maryland and Paul Anderson of Montana -- were selected by the Council of Chief State School Officers, based in Washington, D.C.

President Barack Obama is expected to recognize the national honoree and the state representatives in May 2011.

Conley said, Progress is never made by standing still or by relying on the same tired, old ideas. It is up to us as teachers to push the envelope to transform education by developing ideas that are bigger and better than ever before. I would like to encourage my fellow teachers to be a catalyst for change, for optimism and for growth by becoming a teacher leader or by finding a new teacher to mentor or a struggling teacher to help.

"We must take the initiative by raising the bar and setting higher standards. We must stop the blame talk and come to the collaboration table to participate in the tough conversations with lawmakers, administrators and parents in order to tackle the toughest issues in education. Our nations children are worth it. Education reform can seem overwhelming, but together we can make miracles happen.

A panel of educators, representing 14 national education organizations, chose the finalists from the 2011 state teachers of the year in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and four U.S. extra-state jurisdictions.

Participating organizations included the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, Association for Childhood Education International, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Association of Teacher Educators, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Secondary School Principals,National Association of State Boards of Education, National Congress of Parents and Teachers, National Education Association, National Middle Schools Association, and National School Public Relations Association.