TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County has selected five finalists for the 2024 Teacher of the Year.

They are:

• Barbara Zimmer, Bay Crest Elementary
• Milca Lebron, Woodbridge Elementary
• Clayton Nylund, Blake High School
• Jaime Beulah, Access Points K-2
• Kimberly Feroli, Gaither High School

Feroli was nearly in tears when she found out she was selected as a finalist.

"I was so surprised," Feroli said.

A group of educators and district leaders surprised her with the news while she was teaching Monday morning. The surprise patrol went to all five schools to celebrate the finalists.

Feroli has been an educator for 20 years. For the last 10 years, she has taught reading at Gaither High School. Feroli said she loves every minute of it.

“There’s not any other job where I can influence and impact at this level,” Feroli said about teaching.

Students said they were not surprised Feroli was selected as a finalist. 

"Everyone feels her energy the minute she walks into a room, like she just brings that," said high school senior Mercedes Chapman. "She always has."

The finalists will interview with a panel of educators and district administrators. A winner will be crowned 2024 Teacher of the Year on Feb. 1.

In addition to Teacher of the Year, the district will also announce the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year and the Instructional Support Educator of the Year.

The finalists for the Hillsborough County Public School's Diversity Educator of the Year include Suzy Tkacik of Pride Elementary, Cheryl Flohr of the Hospital Homebound Program, Dr. Ilfaut Joseph of Jennings Middle School, and Angela Roberts of Farnell Middle School

The finalists for the Hillsborough County Public School's Instructional Support Educator of the Year include Billie Jo Nelson of Collins PK-8, Joshua Fuentes, of Sumner High School, Bridget Wells of Robinson Elementary School and Maria Ortiz of Temple Terrace Elementary.