Florida’s charter schools are home to some of the most passionate and innovative educators in the state. To recognize their dedication, the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) created the Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year Celebration — a statewide initiative that highlights exceptional teachers who are raising student success rates through creativity, peer collaboration, leadership, and a deep commitment to educational equity and excellence.
The nomination period for the 2nd annual Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year is NOW OPEN.
We encourage charter school leaders and/or their support organizations to nominate an educator who has gone above and beyond to impact the lives of their students, is helping shape the future of education, and is fostering a commitment to excellence among peers in a Florida charter school.
Please consider your nominee’s data and their impact on student learning. All Florida Charter School Florida Teacher of the Year nominees must be:
- State-certified teachers/instruction personnel
- Currently working at a Florida charter school
- Full-time educator
Three finalists will be selected from all the nominations received. The finalists will be recognized at the Charter School Teacher of the Year Celebration during the FCSC+SCS conference in Orlando this October. The winner will represent Florida’s charter school community at the Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Gala.
Important dates:
- All applications must be submitted to the FCSA by September 10, 2025, 6:00 p.m. (ET). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
- Finalists will be notified by October 3, 2025.
- Finalists must attend the Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year Celebration held at the Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit (FCSC+SCS) at the Caribe Royale Orlando Conference Center on October 15, 2025.
Nomination Review & Judging Process
- All nomination forms will be reviewed and scored by a selection committee that includes representatives from the Florida Department of Education and FCSA.
- A nomination form must be submitted by the school principal.
- Nominee must meet the requirements listed above to be considered.
- Only submit information and documentation requested. Additional materials submitted with the application will not be reviewed or scored.
- Incomplete nomination forms will not be reviewed.
- Review your application before submitting it. You may Save and Resume your application at any point while completing it.
- Only ONE nominee per charter school and/or network of schools will be accepted.
Click here to fill out a nomination form.
More about the Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year Celebration
The inaugural Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year Celebration took place in November 2024 in partnership with the Florida Department of Education. The award was presented to Ms. Shereen Reid, a 4th-grade teacher and Team Leader at Somerset Preparatory Academy of North Lauderdale in Broward County. According to her principal, Donyale McGhee, “Ms. Reid’s student-centered approach prioritizes her students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. Beyond her classroom, she is also a passionate mentor to her colleagues, actively supporting the school’s mission to deliver an exceptional education to every student.” Read more about Ms. Reid and that celebration here.
About FCSA