Teacher of the Year: Tony Wilmoth
Mr. Wilmoth has a long affiliation with Davenport SOTA/Elementary, as he was a student there from K-6th grade. He graduated from Haines City High School, and later went on to teach Biology there. He has taught various sciences, Gifted, and ITV at DSA for 15 years and now loves his job as the Network Manager.
Mr. Wilmoth comes from a family of teachers. His great, great grandfather, Jim Bowen, established the first school in Davenport. His mother, Karline, is a retired teacher who worked at DSA and his wife is a teacher here at DSA, as well.
Fun fact: Mr. Wilmoth taught Mrs. Leonard, Miss Cotton, Hannah Carter, Amber Moulton and others that have worked at our school.
Mr. Wilmoth loves anything having to do with nature, fishing, gardening, the water, and enjoys spending time with his sons, Luke and Ben, who are currently students at Florida State University.
Employee of the Year: Charlene Stamper
Mrs. Stamper has been an active mother of DSA students, and PTO volunteer for years. Last year she joined the staff as Media Center coordinator, along with teammate, Chrissy Hannan. This year Mrs. Stamper teams us with Mrs. Moro to welcome and guide students in the Media Center. Since taking over the Media Center, Mrs. Stamper has been recognized by the district for the largest increase in AR (acelerated reader) points in Polk County. A new record was set recently when 1560 students visited the Media Center in the first week it was open this year.
Mrs. Stamper's interests include anything to do with animals! She has been a zookeeper for 31 years and has worked with big cats (lions, tigers, cheetas), rhinos, giraffes, polar bears and more. She also hand raised baby chimps!
Mrs. Stamper's favorite books are all about animals (of course!) She particularly likes the Br'er Rabbit stories.