Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year Wins Keys to Toyota

MIAMI — South Miami Senior High School teacher Rudy Diaz, has been named Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year.

Diaz, a TV production teacher at South Miami, was recognized as the 2018 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year in a ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center on Thursday night. The honor is also known as the Golden Apple Award.

As part of his prize, Diaz received the keys to a 2017 steel grey Toyota Yaris sedan from Kendall Toyota.

"During his 30-year teaching tenure, Diaz transformed the lives of many students in his school, whether they were in his program or not," according to schools spokeswoman Daisy Gonzalez-Diego. "He has helped students across disciplines with college portfolios, athletic videos and other special projects. His unique instruction style has made possible the professions of hundreds of young individuals."

Four finalists vied for the this year's title, including one nominee from each of the district’s three regions as well as one from alternative/adult education, according to Miami-Dade Schools spokeswoman Gonzalez-Diego.

Diaz worked in the private sector before choosing to become a teacher. Some of his students have gone on to become producers, writers, editors, cameramen, anchors and reporters. Through the years, his mantra has been: “To inspire beyond the subject matter.”

The runner-up was Laura Ortiz from Robert Morgan Educational Center.

Dontricia Jones, a teacher at Norland Elementary, was named Rookie Teacher of the Year at Thursday's event while Davalyn Suarez, a teacher at Miami Senior High was the Rookie Teacher of the Year runner-up.

The event was sponsored by Delta Dental Insurance, United Way of Miami-Dade, Kendall Toyota South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union, Nova Southeastern University’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and Univision 23/UniMas 69. Supporting sponsors were Herff Jones, and Fox-Mar Photography.

It represents a partnership with United Teachers of Dade (UTD), Miami-Dade County Council of PTAs/PTSAs and the Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA).

Photo from left to right: 2017 Rookie Teacher of the Year Dontricia Jones, Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and 2018 Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year Rudy Diaz courtesy of Miami-Dade Schools