STUART \u2014 Twenty-four outstanding educators have been named Teacher of the Year at their respective Martin County schools and will now vie for the title of Martin County Teacher of the Year.<\/p>\n
The 24 school-level honorees will be recognized at the Education Foundation of Martin County\u2019s 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration, presented by Audi Stuart and INFINITI Stuart, on Friday, Nov. 6, at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center.<\/p>\n
Each year, schools throughout Martin County select an educator who exemplifies excellence in teaching, dedication to students and a commitment to education. During the celebration, the school-level Teachers of the Year will be recognized in elementary, middle and high school categories. Keiser University continues to sponsor the High School Teacher of the Year award, while Cigna Healthcare has committed to sponsoring either the Elementary or Middle School Teacher of the Year award, leaving one category sponsorship opportunity available for a community partner interested in joining EFMC in celebrating excellence in education and Martin County\u2019s outstanding teachers.<\/p>\n
One of these educators will be named the overall Martin County Teacher of the Year and will represent the district in the Florida Department of Education\u2019s statewide Teacher of the Year competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing named Teacher of the Year by your own school is an incredible honor because it reflects the impact these educators have on their students, colleagues and school communities every day,\u201d said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. \u201cWe are proud to celebrate all 24 of these exceptional educators and give our community an opportunity to recognize the dedication, passion and heart they bring to their classrooms. Each one represents the best of education in Martin County.\u201d<\/p>\n
Publix Super Markets Charities will sponsor the evening\u2019s Spirit Award, which recognizes the school staff whose creativity, enthusiasm and theme-inspired energy shine brightest during the celebration.<\/p>\n
The 2026-27 school-level Teachers of the Year are:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rachel Fitzsimmons \u2014 Bessey Creek Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ivette Combass \u2014 Citrus Grove Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Amy Orr \u2014 Crystal Lake Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Heather-Ann Covington \u2014 Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Anna Harkins \u2014 Felix A. Williams Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nick Carannante \u2014 Hidden Oaks Middle School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Crystal Brandt \u2014 Hobe Sound Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Avalon Cummings \u2014 The Hope Center for Autism<\/p>\n
\u2022 Miriam Hern\u00e1ndez \u2014 Indiantown Middle School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rosa Bradford \u2014 J.D. Parker Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Amanda McConnell \u2014 Jensen Beach Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Karen Allen \u2014 Jensen Beach High School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Allison Howard \u2014 Martin County High School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ireland Awe \u2014 Murray Middle School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Brandi Heaton \u2014 Palm City Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Richard Acosta \u2014 Pinewood Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jacqueline Davis \u2014 Port Salerno Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rhonda Oksman \u2014 Riverbend Academy<\/p>\n
\u2022 Shannon Miller \u2014 SeaWind Elementary School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Marc Turull \u2014 South Fork High School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Nayomie Duran \u2014 Spectrum Academy<\/p>\n
\u2022 Heather Ryan \u2014 Stuart Middle School<\/p>\n
\u2022 Bobby Kennedy \u2014 Treasure Coast Classical Academy<\/p>\n
\u2022 Holly Jo Sheltra \u2014 Warfield Elementary School<\/p>\n
The community is invited to join the celebration by voting online for their favorite school-level Teacher of the Year and sharing how that educator has made a positive difference at school or in the community. Voting is available at EducationFoundationMC.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Audi Stuart and INFINITI Stuart, part of the Murgado Automotive Group, have served as presenting sponsors of the celebration for more than a decade.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat teachers build great communities. Behind so many of our community\u2019s success stories is a teacher who believed in someone first,\u201d said Devin Carlson, partner and Florida platform director for Murgado Automotive Group. \u201cMurgado Automotive is proud to once again celebrate the Teacher of the Year, and while only one educator will receive the keys to a new luxury vehicle for the year, that honoree represents every teacher in Martin County. To all of them, thank you for everything you do for our children! We are looking forward to another great year celebrating our teachers!\u201d<\/p>\n Additional event sponsors include Martin County Administrative & Supervisory Association, Hedrick Brothers Construction and Florida Power & Light Company.<\/p>\n Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and community partners interested in supporting the celebration and recognizing Martin County\u2019s outstanding educators.<\/p>\n