Lakewood Ranch teachers earn congressional recognition

Mariana Alvarez-Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - Four Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) teachers were nominated and chosen for a 2025 congressional educational award.

The congressional educational award is an opportunity for outstanding schoolteachers, administrators, and support staff in Florida’s 16th Congressional District to receive congressional recognition.

The following LRHS teachers will be honored at a ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on May 1 at Manatee Technical College (MTC).

• Felicia Chasey

• McKenzie Gorskey

• Jennifer Grant

• John Wilkerson

LRHS music teacher John Wilkerson said, “It is a true honor to receive such an esteemed award. I believe my greatest strength as a teacher is that I strive to be compassionate toward my students and demonstrate to them that music is the universal language. That when they set their young minds to do something, they have the ability to do great things.”

LRHS English and Advanced Placement Seminar teacher Jennifer Grant said, “I was very surprised. I knew I had been nominated, but I didn't really give it much more thought afterward. When I first started teaching way back in the late 1990s, a mentor told me that we don't teach subjects but rather students.

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“It's my job to take students from where they are in August and teach them something that can benefit them in future pursuits, but I strive to never forget that I teach people and not a subject,” elaborated Grant.

LRHS Math teacher Felicia Chasey expressed, "I am surprised and honored by this recognition. Honestly, I see myself as someone who simply comes to work every day and works as hard as I can to help my students. Any success I enjoy can be credited to persevering on a day-to-day basis and trying to build a classroom that encourages student success."

LRHS Agriculture teacher McKenzie Gorskey said, “The award to me is a big honor. I feel respected and appreciated in the profession, being recognized not only by someone nominating me but also to be alongside the other nominees because they are also great educators. To be considered is a nice honor for my career and for my path in the industry.”

Not only will these teachers receive public recognition, but they will also have their names included in the Congressional Record.