Honored Educator From Safety Harbor Middle Has Made Inspiring Journey

Editor's note: This story originally ran in February. We're putting it in the spotlight again to highlight the accomplishments one person can make.

It’s not every day a teacher gets driven to school in a limo. 

Then again, it’s not every day a teacher is chosen as the best in her profession for a region that has thousands of potential candidates.

Joanne Wright earned both distinctions this week; the Safety Harbor Middle School sixth-grade reading teacher was named the 2012-13 Outstanding Educator of the Year for Pinellas County on Monday night. 

“When they said my name I was the most shocked, the most surprised I’ve ever been in my life,” Wright, who grew up in South Africa and got into teaching about a decade ago, said on Tuesday.

“Those other five women were just absolutely phenomenal, so I was very humbled to win.”

Wright also took home the People’s Choice/Fan Favorite Award, given to the top vote getter from an online poll. She gets to throw out the first pitch at a Tampa Bay Rays game and won gift certificates, hotel stays and $1,000 in cash. 

Keep up to date on all the local issues. Sign up for the free Safety Harbor Patch email newsletter and you won't miss a thing!

Wright’s journey, from drama major in South Africa to ski instructor in Vermont to outstanding educator in Pinellas County, is an inspiring one.

She said after seeing videos of her fellow competitors at the ceremony, she is even more amazed that she won.

“I certainly don’t have their resumes, but I guess I have what they call ‘withitness’,” she said. 

SHMS principal Alison Kennedy explained it as an uncanny ability to connect with kids combined with a tireless work ethic. 

“She’s the kind of teacher that no matter what kind of kid goes in there … she just relates to all of them,” Kennedy said. “She works hard, she plans for every kid.”

“She’s current, she’s on the forefront, and she never settles for mediocrity,” she added. “And she never gave herself credit for the fact that she is one heck of a teacher.” 

Despite the limo ride, the day after the ceremony was a rough one for the mother of two.

Wright got home late from the awards, her two-year-old daughter kept her up all night, and the school was holding the Florida Writes exams on Tuesday. 

But she wasn’t complaining.

In fact, she has no time to — she’s got to complete a thick submission packet by Monday to be eligible for the state teacher of the year award.

“I’m so tired … I had 212 messages today and I had to turn my phone off,” she said as the buzzer for her next class sounded. “But it’s been so beautiful, all the support.”

“The highlight was seeing my students there and giving them a hug afterwards. That’s what was so special to me.”

Sign up for the Safety Harbor Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

Related Content:

• Safety Harbor Middle Reading teacher named 2013 Outstanding Educator
• Safety Harbor Teacher A Finalist For Outstanding Educator Award