Osceola Middle’s Denerstein named ‘School Related Employee of the Year’

Bruce Denerstein

During a surprise visit on the morning of February 16, representatives of the Marion County School district and the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, presented Bruce Denerstein, a home school liaison at Osceola Middle School, the 2022 “School Related Employee of the Year” for Marion County Public Schools.

School administrators called him to the media center to work with a specific student, but when Denerstein stepped into the room, dozens of people cheered and congratulated him for winning.

According to a press release released by the Marion County School Board following the event, Denerstein works with students and families struggling with school attendance, grades, behavior issues, COVID-19 concerns, and other school-transition challenges. He also helps in classrooms, runs a math tutoring group after school and escorts a vision-impaired student around campus.

Denerstein joined the district four years ago and became Osceola’s home school liaison in 2020. He now advances to the state-level competition to become Florida’s School-Related Employee of the Year.

Other employees honored by the district and foundation the same morning included:

Shanna Jennings – social work assistant in the district’s Mental Health and Wellness Department. Jennings works with staff, families, and students at multiple schools regarding academic achievement, attendance and pandemic issues, and contacts families directly as needed to resolve any school issues. She joined the district in 2011 and was a finalist for School-Related Employee of the Year honor.

Karen Gaines – food service manager at Hillcrest School. She received the “Above & Beyond” Award for always putting students first, meeting cafeteria needs, ordering food and supplies, and maintaining top standards and menu choices. Gains joined Marion County Public Schools in 2012.