Ida S. Baker was an educator known for her pioneering spirit and devotion to students. She made tremendous efforts in her school and community to support diverse students and encourage their academic success.

In her honor, each school site may nominate an individual who they think embodies the pioneering spirit of Ms. Ida Baker, the first African American appointed to be Deputy Superintendent in the Florida Department of Education.  Educators are recognized for going above and beyond to meet the needs of our diverse student population.

Ms. Baker was also one of the first African American women to serve as a principal in Lee County. There is a high school named for her in Coral Springs.

Presenting Sponsor - Amscot Financial

 Congratulations to our 2012 Ida S. Baker
Diversity Educator of the Year finalists!

Kelly Kleiner – Chiaramonte Elementary

Mrs. Kelly Kleiner graduated from the University of Tampa with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2000, and later became certified in exceptional student education. Early in her career, she dedicated her time to diverse students, where she spent the next four years teaching at a school where her Masterpiece Gallery (which promoted parent involvement in the diverse classrooms) was published in The Fluent Reader in Action.   Mrs. Kleiner began working for the Hillsborough County Public Schools in 2008 at USF/Patel Elementary School.  She transferred to Chiaramonte Elementary in 2009, where she teaches second-grade math and science.  Her proudest moments are watching her students succeed in and out of the classroom.  Her greatest reward is seeing her students’ little faces light up when they succeed.

Wayne Stinnard – Cypress Creek Elementary

Wayne Stinnard was born in Binghamton, New York, and attended the University of Charleston in West Virginia where he received a Political Science/History education degree.  He has worked in Hillsborough County for eight years.  Mr. Stinnard created a mentor program where he has become a guardian for one of the boys who started in the second grade and now is in the ninth grade.  During his time at Cypress Creek, he has created several community/family based activities such as dances, haunted houses, Bingo Nights, and yard sales.  He has assumed several leadership roles at Cypress Creek, including Team Leader, ELP, SES, and Parent Involvement as well as coach at Shields Middle School.  He is very passionate about his job, giving back to his community and is an advocate for students’ success.  His philosophy: It does not matter who you are, but what you want to become!! Always remember to be a leader and follow your dream in life! This will equal success!!

Walter Fernando Balser – Leto High

After graduating with his B.A. in history from the University of Florida, Mr. Balser attended The Ohio State University and received his M.Ed. in teaching and learning in 1999.  As an educator in Central Ohio he helped establish Columbus Public Schools’ Welcome Center, a new program for ESOL students and recent arrivals to the United States. Mr. Balser joined Hillsborough County Public Schools in 2001.  As a teacher at Blake High School (2001-2005), he worked with district and school leaders to expand access to the Advanced Placement curriculum for under-represented students, an effort for which he received the distinction of College Board Fellow in 2004.  Drawing on his passion to advance the cause of minority students, Mr. Balser served as an educator in New York City’s small schools movement while receiving his leadership training through Columbia University’s Principal’s Academy.  Since 2008 he has been serving proudly as a school administrator at A.P. Leto High School.

Karen Mynes – McDonald Elementary

Ms. Mynes graduated in 1996 from the University of South Florida with a degree in Special Education. She began her career with Hillsborough County Public Schools as a long-term substitute at Seffner Elementary immediately following her internship. She was hired at Boyette Springs Elementary in August 1997 and worked as an Exceptional Education Teacher. Ms. Mynes completed her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education at the University of South Florida in December 2005 and was hired as the Guidance Counselor at McDonald Elementary. She continues to work as the school’s Guidance Counselor while pursuing her graduate certificate to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Daisy Ramirez – Trapnell Elementary

Daisy Ramirez has been an employee of Hillsborough County Public Schools for seven years. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2005 where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She is the first in her family to graduate from high school and to pursue higher education. She has worked at Trapnell Elementary as a first-grade teacher and as a Migrant Reading Resource Teacher. Daisy provides academic support for her students, as well as social services for their families. She has found Migrant Education to be her passion, as she came from a migrant family. Daisy is now able to serve in the same community where she grew up. This is her way of giving back to her community.

Congratulations to the 2011 Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year!

Cassandra Davis, Seffner Elementary School