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Dunedin commission honors teachers, declares Clerks Week and Older Americans Month
Summary
At its May 7 meeting the commission issued proclamations for Teacher Appreciation Week, Professional Municipal Clerks Week and Older Americans Month; the Mayor's Top Apple School awards and the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year were presented.
The Dunedin City Commission opened its May 7 meeting with a series of community recognitions including a Teacher Appreciation Week proclamation, the Mayor’s Top Apple School awards and a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year honor.
Commissioner Gao introduced the Teacher Appreciation Week proclamation and invited Jeanette Donahue, president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, to thank teachers and announce the Chamber Foundation will deliver treats to Dunedin schools the week of May 18. "We'll be dropping off some goodies to all the Dunedin schools the week of the eighteenth," Donahue said.
Library director Phyllis Gorsche presented the Mayor’s Top Apple School awards for A‑rated schools, calling out Academy Da Vinci, Curtis Fundamental, Dunedin Highland Middle School and Garrison Jones among others. Individual awards included excellence in technology for Natalie Paul (Academy Da Vinci), achievement in the arts for Orlando Pena (Academy Da Vinci), and a health and wellness recognition for San Jose Elementary.
The commission also named Marianela Vasquez Launas the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year. Presenters cited high student proficiency rates in science (97.2%) and math gains (94% of students made math gains) in her classroom; Vasquez briefly addressed the commission and said she felt honored to represent her coworkers and students.
Commissioners offered brief remarks thanking educators and describing their importance to the community. The meeting also included a proclamation declaring the week of May 9, 2026, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week, honoring Michelle Wells and deputy city clerk Heather Drake for city clerk office services. The commission proclaimed May 2026 as Older Americans Month and heard from Nicole Allen (Hale Senior Activity Center) and Anne Marie Winter (Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas) about senior programs and outreach.
The proclamations were ceremonial and nonbinding; no formal vote was required.
