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Buchholz science teacher named ACPS Teacher of the Year

WUFT | By Aileyahu Shanes,
Xinyue Li
Published January 27, 2023 at 1:37 PM EST
Julie Moore, a parent of one of Karen KearneyÕs students, whoÕs also a friend of hers, hugs her after she was awarded the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News) ToY Alachua Schools
Julie Moore, a parent of one of Karen KearneyÕs students, whoÕs also a friend of hers, hugs her after she was awarded the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News) ToY Alachua Schools

Cheers erupted from the crowd on Thursday night as Karen Kearney, a science teacher from Buchholz High School, was named Alachua County Public Schools' Teacher of the Year.

See photos from the event below.

Julie Moore, a parent of one of Karen KearneyÕs students, whoÕs also a friend of hers, hugs her after she was awarded the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News) ToY Alachua Schools
Julie Moore, a parent of one of Karen Kearney's students, who's also a friend of hers, hugs her after she was awarded the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)

Karen Kearney, the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year, speaks after receiving the award at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023. ÒFor me, teaching has always been about the students,Ó Karney says, ÒI treasure the relationships I grow with my students over the years.Ó (Xinyue Li/WUFT News) ToY Alachua Schools
Karen Kearney, the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year, speaks after receiving the award at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023.

The board of the Education Foundation congratulates Karen Kearney after she was awarded the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News) ToY Alachua Schools
The board of the Education Foundation congratulates Karen Kearney after she was awarded the 2023 Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)

Nicole Biener, a colleague of Karen Kearney at Buchholz High School, takes a picture with her after she was awarded the Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Biener says that earlier today, she asked her students in class to help her with making the sign. ÒDr. KKTG stands for ÔKaren Kearney the Great.Õ ThatÕs how I call her. She certainly deserves that award,Ó says Biener. ToY Alachua Schools
Nicole Biener, a colleague of Karen Kearney at Buchholz High School, takes a picture with her after she was awarded the Alachua County Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Biener says that earlier today, she asked her students in class to help her with making the sign.

Colin Nechodom, a 17-year-old senior student of Karen Kearney at Buchholz High School, gives a speech after she was awarded the 31st Annual W. Hughes Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. ÒIn her role as a teacher, Mrs. Kearney always goes above and beyond. The least I can do for her is to come here and support her,Ó says Nechodom. ToY Alachua Schools
Colin Nechodom, a 17-year-old senior student of Karen Kearney at Buchholz High School, gives a speech after she was awarded the 31st Annual W. Hughes Teacher of the Year at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

Karen Kearney, a teacher of anatomy and physiology at Buchholz High School, accepts the Alachua County Teacher of the Year Award at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News) ToY Alachua Schools
Karen Kearney, a teacher of anatomy and physiology at Buchholz High School, accepts the Alachua County Teacher of the Year Award at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023. (Xinyue Li/WUFT News)
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Education Alachua CountyBuchholz High SchoolGainesvilleAlachua County Public Schoolseducationschoolwuft newschurchschoolsstudentsAlachuateacherStudenthigh schoolWUFTnicole
Aileyahu Shanes
Aileyahu is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
See stories by Aileyahu Shanes
Xinyue Li
Xinyue is a photographer for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.
See stories by Xinyue Li