The Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Inc. has named the finalists for the 41st annual William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education. Once again this year, all 28 finalists are from Palm Beach County School District-operated schools.
The finalists were chosen out of hundreds of nominations. Nominees complete a comprehensive application process which is then carefully evaluated by Palm Beach County business leaders. Judging takes place over the course of several rounds, then four top educators are ultimately identified in seven categories.
Each finalist will participate in a final round of judging that will include a panel interview conducted by Palm Beach County business leaders. Seven award winners will be announced and honored during a ceremony on May 5, 2025 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Congratulations to the District’s 2025 Dwyer Awards finalists:
Grow Up Great: Early Learning Education
- Andrea Kindell – Washington Elementary
- Heather Orloski – Citrus Cove Elementary
- Catherine Terwilliger – Santaluces Community High
- Amy Winsor – Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8
Elementary Education
- David Allen-LoCaputo – Liberty Park Elementary
- Ashli Fischer – Beacon Cove Intermediate
- Maurice Humphrey – Pioneer Park Elementary
- Dana Tate – Village Academy
Middle School Education
- Ashley Jones – Bak Middle School of the Arts
- Adina Kerr – West Boynton Middle
- Shanna Lillis – The Conservatory School @ North Palm Beach
- Maxwell Slakoff – John F. Kennedy Middle
Senior High School Education
- Lisa Gilbert – Park Vista Community High
- Kerry Grayson – Palm Beach Central High
- Mark Salemme – Dr. Joaquin Garcia High
- Brittany Stephens – Boynton Beach Community High
STEM Education
- Jennifer Barry – Western Pines Middle
- Eric Cheva – Olympic Heights Community High
- Salam Shuhaiber – Emerald Cove Middle
- Rob Sweeten – Boca Raton Community High
Exceptional Student Education
- Megan Gonzalez – John I. Leonard High
- Jacqueline Hagan – Lake Worth Community High
- Tamra Helman – Discovery Key Elementary
- Christian Kahler – Highland Elementary
Student Support and Advancement
- Taylor Hoover – Discovery Key Elementary
- Allyson Joseph – Wellington High
- Maria Rodriguez Vazquez – John I. Leonard High
- Tiffany Wilkes – William T. Dwyer High
The Dwyer Awards is an annual program developed and supported by the Economic Council to honor outstanding educators from public and private schools in Palm Beach County. The Awards increase awareness of exemplary teaching in the community, provide financial support to educators, and encourages all residents to promote high standards for excellence in education.
