Tampa, East Lake Teachers Named Brainly 2023 Educators of the Year

TAMPA, FL — Mary Anne Rafferty, a language teacher at Williams Middle Magnet School, and Andrea Panarelli, an English teacher at East Lake High School, have been selected as winners of Brainly Educator of the Year, which recognizes teachers going above and beyond to support students in their learning endeavors during the past year.

Rafferty and Panarelli are two of four winners selected throughout the country.

The winners were voted on by members of the public and were recognized in one of three categories: STEM, English and history, and arts and languages.

“Mrs. Rafferty is not just a teacher, but a mentor and a friend. She inspires me to love reading and writing, and to pursue my dreams," said the nomination for Rafferty.

"Mrs. Panarelli has a wonderful sense of humor that adds an extra layer of excitement to our classroom. One of the highlights is her mischievous sidekick, a fake cockroach named Carl. Mrs. Panarelli’s ability to create a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere shows her commitment to making learning a fun and memorable experience," said Panarelli's nomination.

Rafferty and Panarelli will each receive a $500 donation toward a Donors Choose classroom fundraising campaign, and $250 gift card towards educational supplies.

Brainly is a leading learning platform worldwide for all school subjects and grades.