Orlando - Tuesday July 12, 2022: Five Florida Teacher of the Year finalists were recognized at the Teacher of the Year Conference in Orlando Tuesday.
The finalists for 2023 Teacher of the Year were chosen from nearly 185,000 public school teachers throughout the state. Each school district selected its teacher of the year, and then a statewide selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents, and the business community, reviewed each district's application on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service.
The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education.
The five finalists are:
• Melissa Matz, a seventh-grade math teacher at Lakeside Junior High School in Clay County.
• Trinity Whittington, a fourth-grade English language arts and social studies teacher at Bell Elementary School in Gilchrist County.
• Jennifer Jaso, a social studies teacher at Sarasota Middle School.
• Deelah Jackson, a fourth-grade teacher at Samoset Elementary School in Manatee County.
• Seema Naik, a fourth-grade teacher at Eagle Ridge Elementary School in Broward County.
Each of the five finalists were awarded a $15,000 bonus by Governor DeSantis.
"We have great teachers who go above and beyond for their students,” said the Governor. “We will continue to invest in our schools and educators, while putting policies in place that improve outcomes for students.”
The latest Quality Counts report ranked Florida third in the nation for K-12 achievement.
In partnership with the Florida Education Foundation, the Florida Teacher of the Year program is made possible by these sponsors: Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans, State Farm Insurance, Florida State University College of Education, Helios Education Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, Florida Education Association, Herff Jones, Publix Super Market Charities, PNC Bank, and Florida Power & Light Company.
To learn more about the Florida Teacher of the Year program visit: Florida Teachers Lead.