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Local teachers honked and cheered as Teresa Ellen Murphy, 2022 Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year, was presented a new Toyota Corolla from Kendall Toyota on Saturday, Mar. 6.
Kendall Toyota and Bean Automotive Group annually partner with United Teachers of Dade to support and celebrate the outstanding teachers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools with a new Toyota. To practice social distancing, this year’s UTD picnic was held as a drive-in ceremony at Homestead Speedway.
“I’m truly humbled by this honor. I can tell you that there are many teachers in these cars out here that have helped me get to where I am today,” Murphy said. “This is not done alone. As a teacher, you know we never do these things alone. It’s a huge village we have behind us.”
After 27 years of teaching, Murphy, who now teaches third grade, demonstrates that with determination and passion anything is possible.
In the beginning of the pandemic when Spanish Lake Elementary School was forced to shut down in-person classes, Murphy saw online teaching as an opportunity for endless possibilities. She shared new practices with her colleagues and found ways to innovate and enhance the learning experience for her students.
Right before the first day of school in August, Murphy was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Despite the health challenges she faced, her focus was on her students. She continued to teach through chemotherapy and hid the sights and sounds of her treatment, using Zoom backgrounds during her teachings.
“We’re so happy to support the teachers. We’re so happy to be a partner with UTD,” said Michael Cordero, fleet manager from Kendall Toyota.
This is the 11th year Kendall Toyota has donated a new vehicle to the Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year.
Murphy competed with fellow regional winners Candice Morris, of Goulds Elementary and Denise White from Juvenile Justice Center School. Runnerup was Yolette Mezadieu of Miami Edison Senior High. Though the picnic and ceremony were different, the prizes were the same.
