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Westminster continues to hold the title as the school with the most Microsoft Showcase awards in the country. For six consecutive years, Microsoft has recognized Westminster as a Showcase School, an elite title designated for schools that exemplify the best of teaching and learning in the world today. This year, only 42 schools received the designation nationwide.
“I want to commend Westminster’s faculty, staff and IT department for their hard work, and for ensuring that the latest Microsoft technology is used daily in the classroom. Our job is to provide our students and community with the best of the best and we have been able to accomplish just that,” said Omar Valerio, CIO, CTO and IT director at Westminster.
Mayor Cunningham and the council of the Village of Palmetto Bay also presented Valerio with a city proclamation recognizing him and Westminster for this distinction.
Microsoft defines Showcase Schools as educational institutions that amplify the use of technology to drive school-wide digital transformation and efficiencies. Microsoft Showcase Schools also emphasize personalized learning for their students using 1:1 learning devices and learning with current technology such as Microsoft Teams, Office 365 Education, OneNote, and more.
In addition, Microsoft has named Omar Valerio as well as four of Westminster’s outstanding teachers as MIEE (Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert). Microsoft’s MIE Expert program is aimed at teachers and administrators who have recognized the didactic potential and relevance of digital technologies and who use them innovatively in their lessons. Three of Westminster’s employees have also received the MCE title, or Microsoft Certified Educator. These employees are:
| Claudia Pastrana | MIE Expert (2 years), Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) |
| Arlene Castellano | MIE Expert (2 years) |
| April Sharpe-Shirk | MIE Expert (2 years) |
| Loralyn Pybas | MIE Expert (1 year) |
| Manya Glavach | Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) |
| Jesica Barboza | Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) |
| Kevin Lopez | Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) |
| Omar Valerio | Microsoft MVP (5 Years), MIE Expert (4 years), MCE |
Westminster Christian School, founded in 1961, serves approximately 1,280 students from PK 3-Grade 12 in Palmetto Bay.
