Lamotta receives APPLES Mentor of the Year Award

Jun 2, 2022 By MEGHAN BRADBURY 3 min read

A Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School peer collaborative teacher was presented with the APPLES Mentor of the Year award

“It is an honor to be named APPLES Mentor of the Year. As we are aware, the past few school years have been challenging for teachers. I am grateful to have played a role in guiding and supporting them along the way. I am privileged that my administration recommended me for this prestigious award,” Ana Lamotta said.

The APPLES (Accomplished Professional Practices for Lee County Education System) provides a multi-tiered support system to beginning and new teachers, with a layer of support being the APPLES Mentor. Administrators nominated mentors and a selection committee picked finalists and then interviewed them for the award winner.

“Mrs. Lamotta demonstrates a strong commitment to helping others grow,” Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary Assistant Principal Michael Licata said in a prepared statement. “She shows a willingness to share her experiences and knowledge. She creates a rapport that supports trust and openness and takes a genuine interest in her mentees both personally and professionally. Mrs. Lamotta is always willing to help and support in any way she can, while providing feedback that is honest, objective, and constructive.”

Lamotta became a mentor in 2007 by having student teachers work along side her for their college internship. She then became an instructional coach outside of the classroom.

Since then she has been mentoring new teachers and those new to the district. Lamotta joined the Lee County School District 18 years ago.

“I wanted to become a mentor because I am always a teacher at heart whether working with students or teachers. I enjoy seeing both grow in their learning which in the end leads to increased student achievement. I enjoy demonstrating and assisting teachers with implementing best practices in their classrooms and supporting them in anyway necessary to be successful,” Lamotta said.

As a peer collaborative teacher, she provides both high quality professional development to increase student achievement and improve instructional strategies at the school. Half of her day is spent instructing students, while the remaining half provides leadership duties.

“A typical day may consist of small group reading instruction in a classroom, modeling a research-based instructional strategy, data analysis, coach/teacher conferencing, meeting with administration and planning for professional development and instruction,” Lamotta said. “I enjoy that I truly have the best of all worlds in this position. I have the opportunity to work with students, teachers, and administration while keeping the common goal to increase student achievement.”

She said she truly loves what she does.

“I am grateful I have the opportunity to impact new teachers and help them navigate the challenges they may face,” Lamotta said.

Hector A. Cafferata Jr. Elementary School is located at 250 Santa Barbara Blvd., N., in Cape Coral. Contact the school at 239-458-7391.

To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com