Laura Widerberg Is Hillsborough County's 'Teacher Of The Year'

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Amid cheers and support from a crowd of school colleagues, family and community leaders, three Hillsborough County Public Schools staff now hold a new title: winner of the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, Instructional Support Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year.

Hillsborough Education Foundation in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools announced the three winners recently at the annual Excellence in Education Awards at the Straz Center, presented by Suncoast Credit Union.

“We are incredibly proud to recognize our educators and support staff and the impactful work they’ve been able to accomplish, especially this year while facing many pandemic-related challenges, to ensure all students have the support they need to succeed academically and personally,” said Hillsborough Education Foundation CEO Kim Jowell.

According to the foundation, more than 24,000 teachers and staff work in Hillsborough County. Among that number are the three winners who received this top honor out of 675 nominees chosen by their peers from schools across the district.

Their bios can be found below:

2022 Teacher of the Year: Laura Widerberg

Laura Widerberg graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S. in Secondary Science Education, specializing in Biology and The University of Scranton where she earned her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. She started teaching at Brandon High in 2000 and moved to Armwood High in 2016 where she is Science Department Chair. She loves watching her students grow into young adults who question the world around them. She has been involved in many programs throughout her career including Amgen Biotech Experience and STEMposium. She has been married to her husband, Bo, for 25 years. Her son, Sam, was a 2010 Brandon High graduate and her twins, Aidan and Ella, will be 2022 graduates of Armwood High!

2022 Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Ben Lopez

Ben Lopez has served as an educator with HCPS for 18 years, 27 years total in Florida. His motivation to excel is found in his passion to serve his community by advocating for resources for underserved students. He has developed free sports programs, outreach and mentoring initiatives through his nonprofit, Life Coach 180. He is a graduate of Southeastern University and Nova Southeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in General Science and Secondary Biology and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. He has been honored as his school’s 2000 and 2011 Teacher of the Year and 2016 Diversity Educator of the Year. Ben is grateful to have the opportunity to invest in the lives of others through education.

2022 Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Faith Smith

Faith was born in Leicester, England and went to Groby Community College. In 1991, she moved to the U.S. and worked as an au pair for a New Jersey family. She also spent seven years at JPMorgan Chase in New York. Faith has been married for 27 years and has three children. She has volunteered for 12 years as Chapter President of the Pajama Program, coordinating new pajamas for dozens of community partners, and received an award for her contributions from the Department of Children and Families in 2012. This is her second year working for HCPS. In her role, Faith created a Parent Resource Center and is committed to working with students, families, staff and community members to help students’ overall achievement.