>> FROM A CAPE CORAL NEWS TEAM. THIS WAS IN PART OF TODAY’S LESSON PLAN. >> THE LEE COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR WAS SURPRISED AT GULF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CAPE CORAL. SO WHAT DID THEY DO TO EARN THE HONOR? GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER NATACHA CAUSE SAW AS LEARNING A VERY SPECIAL LESSON PLAN. EXCITING, INDESCRIBABLE ON SUPER THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THE TEACHERS LEE COUNTY DISTRICT MATH COACH LAUREL BLACKBURN HAS BEEN NAMED TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS, SUPERINTENDENT DR DENISE CARLIN TOLD ME AFTER DOZENS OF NOMINATIONS AND INTERVIEWS. BLACKBURN WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE TO REPRESENT THE COUNTY. THE IMPACT THAT SHE’S HAVING NOT JUST IN THE PAST ON HER OWN CLASSROOM, BUT ALSO POSITIVELY IMPACTING A WIDE VARIETY OF TEACHERS THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT IS REALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HELP STAND OUT FOR. SO WE ARE IN THE OF AN AMAZING TEACHER. >> IRAN >> A BLOCKER HAD NO IDEA SHE WOULD BE PRESENTED THIS AWARD. SHE TOLD ME SHE GOT INTO EDUCATION BECAUSE SHE LOVES SEEING PEOPLE SUCCEED AND HELP THEM GET TO THEIR FULLEST. POTENTIAL DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC AND STUDENT SERVICES ROB COOPER SAYS BLACKBURN IS THE PERFECT TEACHER TO REPRESENT LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS. I THINK WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A TEACHER TO REPRESENT THE VERY BEST LEE COUNTY HAS OFFER. AND THEN WHAT SHE DOES FOR OUR TEAM. IF YOU SEE BEHIND US, EVERYBODY’S HERE AND THEY’RE HERE FOR HER AND SHE’S HERE FOR THEM. AND THAT’S JUST SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL. AND LOOKING FORWARD TO. LEARNING AND CONTINUING TO GROW AND WORK WITH ALL THE AMAZING PEOPLE WE HAVE IN LE
Cape Coral educator honored as Lee County Schools Teacher of the Year
Updated: 7:04 PM EST Dec 17, 2025
Laurel Blackburn, a district math coach in Cape Coral, was named Lee County Schools Teacher of the Year, recognized for her impactful contributions to students and teachers across the district.”Exciting. Indescribable. I’m super thankful for the opportunity to represent the teachers of Lee County. I’m also grateful for the students that I work with and the staff and the administrators that I have the opportunity to learn from them,” Blackburn said.Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin said Blackburn was chosen after dozens of nominations and interviews due to her significant impact on both her classroom and the wider district.”The impact that she’s having not just in the past on her own classroom, but also positively impacting a wide variety of teachers throughout our district, is really one of the things that helps stand out for her,” Carlin said.Blackburn, who works at 22 K-12 schools in Cape Coral, described her role as working alongside teachers, coaching them, working with students, attending PLCs, offering professional development, and being a supportive presence.”I love seeing people succeed, and I like to help them see the potential in themselves and help them be motivated and continue to learn and grow,” Blackburn said.Rob Cooper, director of academic and student services, praised Blackburn as the ideal representative for Lee County Schools.”I think when you’re looking for a teacher to represent the very best the Academy has to offer, you’ve got her right here. And what she does for our team. If you see behind us, everybody’s here and they’re here for her, and she’s here for them. And that’s just something very special,” Cooper said.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Laurel Blackburn, a district math coach in Cape Coral, was named Lee County Schools Teacher of the Year, recognized for her impactful contributions to students and teachers across the district.
“Exciting. Indescribable. I’m super thankful for the opportunity to represent the teachers of Lee County. I’m also grateful for the students that I work with and the staff and the administrators that I have the opportunity to learn from them,” Blackburn said.
Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin said Blackburn was chosen after dozens of nominations and interviews due to her significant impact on both her classroom and the wider district.
“The impact that she’s having not just in the past on her own classroom, but also positively impacting a wide variety of teachers throughout our district, is really one of the things that helps stand out for her,” Carlin said.
Blackburn, who works at 22 K-12 schools in Cape Coral, described her role as working alongside teachers, coaching them, working with students, attending PLCs, offering professional development, and being a supportive presence.
“I love seeing people succeed, and I like to help them see the potential in themselves and help them be motivated and continue to learn and grow,” Blackburn said.
Rob Cooper, director of academic and student services, praised Blackburn as the ideal representative for Lee County Schools.
“I think when you’re looking for a teacher to represent the very best the Academy has to offer, you’ve got her right here. And what she does for our team. If you see behind us, everybody’s here and they’re here for her, and she’s here for them. And that’s just something very special,” Cooper said.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.