Ginnie

Recognition Coordinator, Educator Recruitment and Recognition, Florida Department of Education

[Anastasios Kamoutsas @StasiKamoutsas]

Thank you to @OfficialFAMUDRS for the warm welcome and hospitality. Our DOE team was proud to deliver school supplies and gift bags for their amazing teachers. Grateful to @FAMUDRSSup, @drallyphd and @FAMU_1887 leadership for their support. A special shoutout to @FLTOY2026 Mark Harrison for joining us!

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Thank you, @25FLTOY Jaime Suarez, for serving Florida as the 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year! You have brilliantly encouraged, supported and advocated for students and educators throughout the state!

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to Union County’s Mark Harrison, for being selected as a 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist. Mr. Harrison is an Economics and American Government teacher at Union County High School! #FLTOY2026

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to Columbia County’s Shelly Teel for being selected as a 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist! Ms. Teel teaches third grade at Westside Elementary School.
#FLTOY2026

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to Liberty County’s Katy Jo Harrison for being selected as a 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist. Ms. Harrison is a first-grade teacher at Hosford Elementary Junior High School.

#FLTOY2026

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to Kelsie Rodriguez, a VPK Paraprofessional at Summers Elementary School in Columbia County. Ms. Rodriguez was named the 2025 Florida School-Related Employee of the Year! @columbiak12

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

School district and charter school representatives are ready to interview future educators! Register now for the Great Florida Teach-In happening April 5th: https://t.co/E3I2WXphD7.

[Ron DeSantis @GovRonDeSantis]

An additional 176 schools in Florida have earned the Purple Star School of Distinction designation for going above and beyond to meet the needs of military families. Since Florida established this program in 2021, nearly 400 schools throughout our state have earned the Purple Star designation by providing liaisons, student support, professional development for staff, and resources tailored to meet the needs of military families.

Also, for the first time this year, we have introduced the Purple Star School District designation to recognize Florida school districts that have at least 75% of their schools designated as Purple Star Schools. Congratulations to Bay, Brevard, Citrus, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa school districts for achieving this distinction.

[CFEF @FlaEduFoundtns]

🍎🌟 We’re honored to hear from Jaime Suarez, the new Florida Teacher of the Year, at #ConnectEDImpact2024! Jaime’s unwavering dedication to her students and her innovative approach to teaching inspire us all📚✨ #InspiringEducators #FLTOY2025 @EducationFL

[Jaime Suarez @25FLTOY]

I want to thank @DrSmall_FSU at Florida State University Schools - FSUS for opening your school to me! I want to thank @MeganCrombie2 for being an amazing tour guide and sharing so many insights about the programs and values at FSUS.
Your school is a model school! ❤️💛

[Manny Diaz Jr. @PresMannyDiazJr]

.@GovRonDeSantis took on the challenge of raising teacher pay and he has succeeded.
Proud to say that the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget brings the total invested in teacher pay to $4.6 billion since 2019.

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to Sam Nelson, fifth-grade teacher at Florida State University Schools. Ms. Nelson was selected as a 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist. #FL74Strong

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

We are proud to introduce the five 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalists! Congratulations to all five exemplary teachers who elevate the teaching profession! #FL74Strong

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Dr. Clayton Nylund is a believer that teaching is both a science and the most impactful art form there is. Teaching takes time, practice and dedication.

Congratulations, Dr. Nylund, on being named a 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist! Read more: https://t.co/hN8dFixyut

#FL74Strong @HillsboroughSch

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to science and aerospace teacher Heather Stewart of Paxton School in Walton County. Ms. Stewart was selected as a 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist. #FL74Strong @WaltonCountySD

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Marlene Straughan of Mount Dora High School in Lake County was selected as one of three 2024 Florida Principal of the Year Finalists. Congratulations, Principal Straughan!

@LakeSchools

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Kirk Hutchinson of Venice Elementary School in Sarasota County was selected as one of three 2024 Florida Principal of the Year Finalists. Congratulations, Principal Hutchinson!

@SarasotaSchools

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to John Michael Chaires, Assistant Principal of Palatka Jr.-Sr. High School in Putnam County! Assistant Principal Chaires was selected as one of three 2024 Florida Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists.

@PutnamSchoolsFL

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations to Kristin Stevens, Assistant Principal of East Lee County High School in Lee County! Assistant Principal Stevens was selected as one of three 2024 Florida Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists.

@LeeSchools

[Florida Department of Education @EducationFL]

Congratulations 2024 Florida Principal of the Year FINALISTS! Today we celebrate your leadership and the positive impact you have on your schools and communities!

Dr. Michael George, @duvalschools
Marlene Straughan, @lakeschools
Kirk Hutchinson, @sarasotaschools