Hernando County Schools -

Even before Weeki Wachee High School opened, Mike Miller worked day and night to ensure that we had a quality band program for the students. He was on site inspecting his soon to be new home away from home, preparing for the arrival of his students. He has organized an amazing number of music and education activities that promote the love of learning and especially music.  One of the first jobs assigned to Mike before the school opened was to create a school Alma Mater and Fight Song. And he came through. He wrote the music for the WWHS Fight Song, as well as co-writing (with Morgan Burburan) the Alma Mater!

During his free time, he likes to fish and play golf. He and his girlfriend, Vivian, like to travel around and try out different restaurants

Betty has been an educational leader in Hernando County.  In addition to being a classroom teacher, she has served as an Elementary Specialist, Technology Coordinator, Title I Lead Teacher  and as Assistant Principal at Brooksville Elementary.  She also took the lead in forming K-Kids, a service club sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, and brought the very first K-Kids international charter to Brooksville Elementary.

In 2005, Betty transferred to Challenger K8 as assistant principal and was instrumental in the planning and opening of the new Science and Mathematics magnet school.  In 2006, she retired only to discover very quickly that she was not ready to leave education.  In 2007 Betty returned to Challenger K8 as the assessment teacher .  Her technological skills and analytical mind has made her invaluable to the CK8 staff.  Over the past 44 years, Betty Draper has touched the lives of many children and has seen the face of education in Hernando County change tremendously.

Mr. Kojack promotes students success through mentoring students and being a community leader. He is always willing to lend a helping hand, encourage others and make them feel special. He mentors students that might be going in the wrong direction. Mr. Kojack is a very caring and giving individual which makes him one of Hernando’s HEROES.

Mrs. Nancy Hurst is a tremendous asset to the administration, parents, students, staff and community members of Pine Grove Elementary School. Nancy is never to busy to assist anyone who is in need. She is always personable and eager to share the resources she has gathered in her 15 years as the Title I Parent Educator. Nancy works diligently with everyone who comes to her in an effort to solve every issue or need they bring to her. She is a quiet, humble leader who consistently works to obtain win-win  relationships. She treats every student as though they were her own child and strives to uncover the reason for their inability to master a problem or concept. Nancy then connects the child or parent to the resources she has or personally contacts other individuals on the parents behalf to resolve the issue. Mrs. Nancy Hurst encompasses all aspects of and is truely deserving of the honor of the title Hernando HEROS.

Mrs. Kinner is the Kiwanis Kid (K-Kids) Club Coordinator. She initiated the K-Kids in 2000 with only 20 students and now there are over 84 students who are members. In the past, raising money for Haiti, creating a 911 Memory Garden and paying for the erection of an outside classroom at Eastside are some of the projects Cindy has coordinated and funded through K-Kids. Currently, the club is involved in collecting food, coats and blankets for those in need, promoting a healthy ecology be going green and recycling, creating cards and delivering candy to nursing home residents and creating homemade dog biscuits and cat nip for pets and the animal shelter. Cindy is an outgoing, strong leader who has superb rapport with students, parents, teachers, staff and business partners. She is a remarkable person, a dedicated educator and a consummate professional. She is a Hernando Hero.

Tandra Lamia brings years of experience and caring to her first grade students, promoting success by starting several programs within Suncoast Elementary. “Terracycle” recycling program reduces waste school wide where the students provide a container for certain drink pouches and chip bags served in the lunch. They collect the trash and send it to a company that makes recycled tote bags, pencil pouches and backpacks.  She and her students worked with the art teacher in a Teddy ‘Bear program at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. The students decorated care bags for patients and sent a photographed so the patient could see who decorated their bag. Patients responded with thank you cards. It was a positive experience for the children and the community at Moffitt. This is just a little of what Tandra has done at Suncoast Elementary and what makes her a Hernando Hero.

Julia Jinkens is the most selfless individual you’ll ever meet. Her constant dedication to others, as well as her love for her fellow man, drives her to continually work on behalf of others less fortunate than herself. She is fondly known at Brooksville Elementary School as "Granny", and she truly is every child's grandmother. Many of our students do not have the benefit of a loving elder in their life, so Julia becomes that individual. She nurtures, loves, protects, encourages, and challenges every child in her care to become the best student and the best human being that they can be. She is an unending source of energy, love, and compassion to everyone around her. Julia's positive attitude and sunny disposition is a bright spot in every person's day here at BES. Julia is truly one of Hernando County's Heroes!

Through encouragement and a bright motherly devotion, Mary carefully transports her students to and from school. The day begins with a welcoming attitude and years of helpful experience to start the day on Mary’s bus. Her alumni are many who have graduated from Hernando’s school and were safely carried all their school life by Mary. Their positive bus experience speaks volumes to the community and foster’s a positive relationship in the school community.