Who Will Win Teacher of the Year?

It's countdown time for the coveted Manatee County teacher of the year award and the support staff worker of the year award...

Who will it be?

Wednesday night, the winners will be declared when the annual ceremony starts at 7 p.m. at the new Manatee Technical Institute, on State Road 70 East.

Here are the nominees for Educator of the Year:

• Zadda Bazzy, Music Teacher, Oneco Elementary School
• Deborah Miele, Math Teacher, King Middle School
• Carrie Rainwater, 8^th Grade Science Teacher, Nolan Middle School
• Jason Schiessel, Theater Arts Teacher, Southeast High School

Who do you think will win? (Let us know in the comments below!)

Here are the Support Employee of the Year finalists:

• Sandy Heaton, Senior School Secretary, Wakeland Elementary School
• Todd Persinger, Head Custodian, Anna Maria Elementary School
• Diane Popovice, Registrar, Mills Elementary School
• Joni Wallace Brightbill, Secretary III, Maintenance and Operations Department

According to the Manatee School District, the winner of the Educator of the Year will receive a new 2013 Toyota Prius will be presented to the Educator of the Year by the Gettel Family of Automotives.

A $5,000 Savings Account will go to the Support Employee of the Year by Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union. 

Stay with Patch for the results Wednesday night!