Each November, our nation pauses to reflect on the many blessings that enrich our lives. As Superintendent of Schools, I am especially thankful for the more than 1,600 dedicated individuals who make up the School Board of Highlands County family. Every member of our team plays a vital role in supporting students and ensuring that our schools remain places of learning, growth, and care.
Each year, in partnership with Macy’s, the Florida Department of Education invites districts to nominate an educator for the distinguished Florida Teacher of the Year award. This initiative honors excellence in education, celebrates the teaching profession, and recognizes the educators who are shaping the next generation of leaders.
In Highlands County, every school and the district office selects both a Teacher of the Year and a School-Related Employee of the Year. These individuals are chosen by their peers for their commitment to academic excellence, student success, and the creation of nurturing and respectful school environments.
Earlier this month, we had the privilege of celebrating these honorees at the annual Summit Awards, held this year at Avon Park High School. Thanks to the generosity of our local and statewide supporters, the event was a beautiful tribute to the passion and dedication of our educators and staff.
We are proud to congratulate Erica Ashley from Woodlawn Elementary School, who was named District Teacher of the Year, and Maria Gomez Marin from Sun ’N Lake Elementary School, our District School-Related Employee of the Year. Mrs. Ashley, who has devoted 24 years to teaching, will represent Highlands County at the state level in Orlando in the spring of 2026. Ms. Gomez Marin has served at Sun ’N Lake Elementary for two years and continues to make a positive impact on students and colleagues alike.
The Summit Awards also recognized exceptional leadership through the Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year honors. Congratulations to Mrs. Kim Riley, Principal of Avon Park Middle School, and Dr. Rory Stapleton, Assistant Principal of Sebring High School, for their steadfast leadership, resilience, and commitment to student success.
Highlands County’s strength lies in its close-knit community, where schools and families work together to inspire achievement and foster opportunity. The Summit Awards highlight the lasting influence of our teachers, leaders, and support staff, many of whom have touched generations of students through their compassion and service.
We invite you to read more about this year’s honorees in the special Summit Awards section of the November 29th edition of the Highlands News-Sun. We extend our sincere gratitude to the News-Sun for helping us share these inspiring stories of excellence.
As you see these honorees in the community, please take a moment to thank them for their dedication and the difference they make every day in the lives of Highlands County’s children.
This year’s Summit Award Honorees for Teacher of the Year were:
Avon Elementary, Madison Jackson
Avon Park High, Paulette Daley
Avon Park Middle, Kevin Collier
Cracker Trail Elementary, Denise Hines
District Office, Tabitha Wallace
Fred Wild Elementary, Taryn Little
Hill-Gustat Middle, Sheyla Nazario
Highlands Virtual School, Rita Graham
Lake Country Elementary, Linda Veley
Lake Placid Elementary, Danielle Jackson
Lake Placid High, Kayla Prescott
Lake Placid Middle, Stephanie Hernandorena
Memorial Elementary, Rachael Brown
Park Elementary, Kayla Jackson
Sebring High, Angela Mann
Sebring Middle, Tammy Williams
Sun N Lake Elementary, Jenniffer Bermudez
Woodlawn Elementary, Erica Ashley.
This year’s Summit Award Honorees for School-Related Employee were:
Academy ay Youth Care, Lane Brandy Simmons
Avon Elementary, Carol Beman
Avon Park High, Kathryn Welch
Avon Park Middle, Brittney Spires
Cracker Trail Elementary, Sonia Almenteros
District Office, Angeles Maisonet
Fred Wild Elementary, Tracy Willingham
Hill-Gustat Middle, Maribel Perez Badillo
Lake Country Elementary, Elizabeth Schreck
Lake Placid Elementary, Lynette Pringle
Lake Placid High, Anna Martinez
Lake Placid Middle, Larry Tranberg
Memorial Elementary, Olga Ortegon
Park Elementary, Kristine Albritton
Sebring High, Stephanie Taylor
Sebring Middle, Amber Gwaltney
Sun ‘N Lake Elementary, Maria Gomez Marin
Woodlawn Elementary, Ginger McIntyre
Transportation, Jeffrey Stanley.