Veronica Sarmiento was amazed and honored to hear that she was selected as the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year by her colleagues. As the school’s Yearbook adviser and the Digital Design teacher, she has broadened the use of mass media at SHS.

Prior to becoming a teacher, Sarmiento worked as a graphic designer in Miami from 1995 to 1998. Simultaneously, she worked as a trainer for Macy’s. She taught the company’s art directors and copywriters how to use graphic design programs.

In 1999, Sarmiento decided to become a teacher at Saint Brendan High School in Miami. She taught Ceramics, Pottery 1 and 2, Sculture, Art 2D, and Art 3D, and Introduction to Computers. In addition, she created their C0mputer Graphic Design and TV Production program. After five years of teaching, she returned to being a graphic designer.

Her teaching career continued after her move to Sanford in 2010. At SHS, she initially taught Three-Dimensional Art. Gradually over the years, she transitioned to teaching three separate levels of Digital Design and AP Art.

In 2012, Sarmiento was offered the position of Yearbook adviser, a role she has been interested in as a result of her passion for graphic design.

“I’m a graphic designer, I’ve always been a graphic designer,” said Sarmiento. “I’ve always loved it and I would just look at Yearbook and think [that] would be a cool thing to do.”

Sarmiento was involved in creating the mass media department at SHS. Yearbook, Journalism, and TV Production are all consolidated into this department to better reflect the business of media and how it works in the real world. 

She was chosen to speak at the National Scholastic Press Association in Indianapolis this past November. Her presentation was based on the mass media department and how it came together.

After six consecutive years of working at SHS, Sarmiento was given the title of Teacher of the Year by the votes of fellow teachers. Faculty and staff are proud of Sarmiento and pleased to have her represent SHS.

“I think she’s a fantastic representative for Teacher of the Year for the district,” said Dr. Connie Collins. “She’s done a lot of work in expanding our mass media program [and] she’s done a lot of fantastic work with the Yearbook so I think that it’s well-deserved. I’m really happy for her.”

Her colleagues aren’t the only ones overjoyed for her; her students believe the name of Teacher of the Year was befitting and well-earned.

“She’s one of my favorite teachers,” said junior Laura Espinosa. “She’s very helpful. If you don’t understand something, she’ll take her time to make you understand it.”

Since the beginning of her teaching career at SHS, she has felt appreciated and at home by faculty and by her many students.

“It’s kind of surreal,” said Sarmiento. “It’s amazing that your colleagues recognize and think of you that way.”