Photo (left to right): KWHS Principal Christina McPherson, Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer McComb, Christy Ledbetter, Monica Fletchall, Doug Bickings, Rebecca Provost, Brett Fink, Kathlene Hurtado, Ruth Holland, Marjorie Rodriguez, Margaret Kiefer, and Sarah Smith.

Educators Receive 2021 Teachers of Merit Awards for Inspiration, Dedication to Students

Nine Key West High School (KWHS) teachers have been awarded a total of $65,000 through the distinguished “David Wolkowsky 2021 Teachers of Merit Awards.” The awards are given annually by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys on behalf of late Key West philanthropist and businessman David Wolkowsky.

The awards honor KWHS teachers for their passion for teaching and dedication to students. The Community Foundation has been partnering with the late philanthropist for over 20 years to bestow the awards. The legacy fund by Mr. Wolkowsky is managed by the Community Foundation, established exclusively to continue the Teachers of Merit awards annually into future generations.

The 2021 Teacher of the Year is Sarah Smith, media specialist at KWHS. Sarah, who received $25,000, was cited by KWHS Principal Christina McPherson as being a phenomenal asset to the school who “engages even the most reluctant learners and the inexperienced in her instruction.”

Eight other Teachers of Merit each received $5,000:

  • Douglas Bickings
  • Brett Fink
  • Monica Fletchall
  • Ruth Holland
  • Kathlene Hurtado
  • Margaret Kiefer
  • Rebecca Provost
  • Marjorie Rodriguez

In addition to the Wolkowsky awards, Christy Ledbetter was awarded $1,000 from the Harry and Linda Bryant Fund at the Community Foundation. The Fund, established in 2020 by Liz Wooten-Reschke to memorialize her parents’ legacy of service to the Keys, promotes a dedicated KWHS teacher. In light of the challenges of the past year, the award was given to help provide economic relief for a teacher devoting invaluable hard work and talent to benefit students and their families.

The Community Foundation administers the awards and the recipients are selected by the school administration. “The Community Foundation is grateful to be able to honor Mr. Wolkowsky’s generous legacy to recognize the important and inspirational role teachers have in shaping our community’s young people and our future,” said Jennifer McComb, President and CEO of the Community Foundation.

During the presentation of the awards, Principal McPherson said, “The Wolkowsky family expresses their appreciation to the teachers for the dedication and support they provided to students through this most difficult and unexpected year.”

More information about the awards and Mr. Wolkowsky is available at cffk.org/2021education.

Your Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, In Paradise for Good, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Since 1996, the Community Foundation has been connecting people, resources and needs through philanthropy. CFFK helps individuals and families leave a legacy in the Keys by inspiring giving and by investing in people and solutions to benefit every resident from Key Largo to Key West. Over $31 million in grants have been made to student scholarships, arts and culture, beautification and preservation of the Keys, health and human services, hurricane relief, and youth programs. The Community Foundation is known for its signature “Unsung Heroes” event which honors nonprofit volunteers. For more information, call (305) 292-1502 or visit cffk.org.

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