Teaching standard set at Weeki Wachee

Weeki Wachee High School Principal Dennis McGeean is the only administrator who can now say his teachers have won district Teacher of the Year every year since his school opened — all of two years ago.

When WWHS English Teacher Kimberly Koparan took the stage last Friday at the Palace Grand as recipient of the annual Teacher of the Year award, she made that record possible following fellow WWHS English Teacher Angela Kennedy being awarded the same honor one year prior.

McGeean said that while it's no surprise that Koparan could earn the distinction, most weren't expecting teachers from the school to earn the award two years in a row.

"I think this is the first school in the county to have two teachers in a row win this award," McGeean said. "But I'm very pleased. Both are highly dedicated. And (Koparan) is certainly deserving of this recognition and has proven to be a highly qualified teacher."

Koparan, a 14-year teaching veteran and Springstead High School alumna, said she wasn't expecting to win the Teacher of the Year award on Friday and didn't bother to write an acceptance speech.

"Just looking at the caliber of teachers who were nominated and with (Kennedy) having won last year, I was just sure that I wouldn't win," Koparan said. "The other teachers nominated are amazing. I was shocked."

Superintendent Bryan Blavatt said the Hernando County Education Foundation members, who sponsored the event, created the selection process to prevent school favoritism and other factors out of the decision so that selection committee members can focus purely on best teaching practices, such as love of learning and how teachers contribute to overall education improvement.

Koparan said her love of teaching stems from her own love of English and connecting with her students on the subjects.

She said the challenge is fighting distractions — technology, difficult home lives, boredom — and finding ways to keep them engaged. Once she makes that connection however, she said part of the joy is watching those same students surprise themselves with what they can accomplish.

"What I have a tendency to do is to treat them as if they were my own children — I carry them home with me and ponder their situations," Koparan said. "You're teaching the whole child — not just a subject. And the really great teachers do that."

When she's not teaching, Koparan stays busy as part of a program for mentoring fellow teachers, coaching cheerleading and acting as assistant coach for girls' track. She's also a student council government sponsor, student council sponsor; Junior Class sponsors and is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

She's also an active runner and also donates time and raises money for the TA21 Campaign — which is geared toward assisting victims of human trafficking.

Meanwhile, Koparan said she wouldn't be where she is today without the support of her administrators who've helped her along the way and who now keep her grounded.

"I know I have a tendency to dream big," Koparan said. "They've all encouraged me to think outside the box and have structure. Sometimes even teaches need someone else to reel them in."