ORLANDO, Fla.
–
Florida
Gov.
Ron DeSantis
on Thursday spoke at the 2026 Teacher of the Year event at
Rosen Shingle Creek
in Orlando.
On stage, the governor recognized the five finalists for Florida Teacher of the Year, all of whom were given checks for $20,000. A grand-prize winner would be announced later Thursday, DeSantis said.
One of the finalists, Brandi Nicole Anderson, is an educator with 16 years of experience who teaches seventh-grade civics and social studies at Indian Trails Middle School in Flagler County.
Gov. DeSantis presented her and the other finalists with the $20,000 awards after discussing a state commitment to civics education and advertising $1.36 billion in
the state budget
— an increase of nearly
$101.6 million over the last fiscal year — that can only be used to increase teacher salaries.
However, concerns remain at the district level due to federal funding issues. Approximately $6.8 billion in congressionally-approved funds for K-12 schools is currently being withheld by the Trump administration, contributing to budget shortfalls. Anderson’s district in Flagler is facing a deficit.
[EXCLUSIVE:
Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE)
| PINIT!
Share your photos
]
If Anderson wins Teacher of the Year award, she will make history as the first recipient from Flagler County.
The other four finalists are as follows:
-
Autumn Crabtree, Citrus County
-
Culinary arts teacher, Crystal River High School
-
-
Shelly Teel, Columbia County
-
Third grade teacher at West Side Elementary School
-
-
Katy Jo Harrison, Liberty County
-
First grade teacher at Hosford Elementary and Junior High School
-
-
Mark Harrison, Union County
-
Economics and American government teacher at Union County High School
-
-
Culinary arts teacher, Crystal River High School
-
Third grade teacher at West Side Elementary School
-
First grade teacher at Hosford Elementary and Junior High School
-
Economics and American government teacher at Union County High School
Also attending was Florida’s new education commissioner, Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas, formerly DeSantis’ deputy chief of staff.
[RELATED:
At first board meeting, new Florida education commissioner touts removing ‘indoctrination’
]
Watch DeSantis’ remarks again in the video player below or by
clicking here
.
[VIDEO BELOW: Osceola district gets ‘B’ grade]
