Teacher
in the Spotlight: Diane Tomko, Flagler Palm Coast High School
2007 Flagler County Teacher of the Year and State Finalist
A believer in character learning and education, Diane Tomko
continuously provides her students with
opportunities to enhance their
personal development.
The 28-year veteran ensures that her students
understand the importance of being
active in their community, and
participate in projects that affect social change.
She teaches Gifted
Language Arts to high school students.
Diane helped found Future Problem Solvers (FPS), a program
that teaches students
to use problem-solving skills to deal with issues
affecting the local community.
The program teaches important life
lessons such as developing resolutions and using teamwork to achieve
common goals.
She challenges her students to view life’s obstacles as
challenges rather than problems,
and to use their critical thinking
skills to overcome them.
In addition to developing the plan that certified her school
for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program,
Diane has also
developed school-wide programs for gifted children.
She has led her
students to participate in multiple international-level championships
as well as community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity.
It’s not surprising that many students keep in touch with
Diane long after they’ve left her classroom.
She motivates students,
provides them with purpose and enthusiasm, and empowers them
with the
confidence to meet all challenges with determination, poise and
intellect.
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