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She's The 2007 Apple Of Their Eye

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By LOIS KINDLE The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

APOLLO BEACH - Some teachers work their entire careers and are not recognized for their efforts. But not Shari Storch.

After only three years in the classroom, the fourth-grade teacher's peers at Apollo Beach Elementary School voted to name her the 2007-08 Teacher of the Year.

"I was completely shocked and very humbled that they would choose me," Storch said. "You don't realize that others are paying attention to what you're doing."

"I think it's quite a unique honor when you have teachers who have taught for decades recognizing her gift for teaching," said J. Thomas Roth, who was the school's principal until Thursday. He's now the principal at Reddick Elementary in Wimauma, which is slated to open in fall.

The award is determined by the teaching staff and administrators, who designate their top three choices. Points are assigned to each rank, and the recipient is determined by who gets the most.

"The idea is to select someone who best represents the school, its goals and the teaching profession," Roth said. "Shari is that person this year."

Erna Frazier partners with Storch to teach social studies and science. The two co-chaired the school's recent Winter Wonderland Dance, which raised money to buy books for students who are part of the Metropolitan Ministries Academy.

Frazier, a veteran teacher of 40 years and a former teacher of the year, said she's happy Storch was recognized as this year's recipient.

"She certainly deserved it," Frazier said. "She's very dedicated to her students and always goes above and beyond in everything she does."

Born in Tampa, Storch grew up in Balm and graduated from East Bay High School in 1990. She attended Hillsborough Community College for two years, before leaving to raise a family with her husband, Matt, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy. They live in Riverview with their two sons, Brady, 13, and Chase, 10.

Storch went back to college in 2003, when Chase entered kindergarten. While she was going to the University of South Florida, she substituted at Apollo Beach, where her children were enrolled. Graduating cum laude in 2005, with a bachelor's in elementary education, she secured a full-time position at Apollo Beach. For the first two years, she taught third grade and then, a year ago, switched to fourth.

"I like being able to teach all subjects and have my own group of students," she said. "It creates a sense of community that fosters a better learning environment."

Storch, 35, also trains other teachers in her district monthly about how to implement strategies for teaching reading.

As evidenced by all the beach decor in her classroom, Storch gets to the beach whenever possible. She also loves to sing and sometimes belts out a tune for her students. At home, she supports her sons' extracurricular activities, enjoys decorating and "lives for chocolate."

Teaching is a passion, she said.

"I like to inspire children and make them believe in themselves so that they can accomplish whatever they set out to do," Storch said. "I love to see that light-bulb moment."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Shari Storch

AGE: 35

EDUCATION: East bay High School, 1990; University of South Florida, 2005

JOB: Fourth-grade teacher at Apollo Beach

FAMILY: Husband, Matt; sons Brady, 13, and Chase, 10

QUOTE: "I like to inspire children and make them believe in themselves so that they can accomplish whatever they set out to do. I love to see that light-bulb moment."

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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