Finalist William Derr for the 2012 Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year award poses at the North Miami home of Stephanie King on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Derr teaches automotive collision repair at the South Dade Adult Education Center and the Homestead Jobs Corps Center. ALLISON DIAZ / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD

Finalist Rebecca Manzanas for the 2012 Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year award poses at the North Miami home of Stephanie King on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Manzanas is a first grade teacher at Dr. Manuel C. Barreiro Elementary School. ALLISON DIAZ / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD

Finalist Tom Uhle for the 2012 Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year award poses at the North Miami home of Stephanie King on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Uhle is a Special Education teacher at Centennial Middle School. ALLISON DIAZ / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD

Finalist Leticia Bacallao for the 2012 Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year award poses at the North Miami home of Stephanie King on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Bacallao is a fifth grade teacher at Meadow Lane Elementary School in Hialeah. ALLISON DIAZ / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD

Finalist Alexandre Lopes for the 2012 Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year award poses at the North Miami home of Stephanie King on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Lopes teaches pre-kindergarten children with autism at Carol City Elementary School. ALLISON DIAZ / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD

Finalist Mia Lafrance for the 2012 Miami-Dade Teacher of the Year award poses at the North Miami home of Stephanie King on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Lafrance is a school counselor at Dr. Henry W. Mack - West Little River K-8 Center. ALLISON DIAZ / FOR THE MIAMI HERALD