Florida Department of Education to Name 2016 Teacher of the Year in Orlando

The committee selecting the Teacher of the Year chooses a teacher based on several qualifications: a superior ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service.

 

The most important qualification, however, is the teacher's exceptional capacity to inspire love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.

 

The five finalists for Teacher of the Year each receive an award of $5,000 and a $1,000 grant for their schools, funded by the Macy’s Foundation, and a $500 Macy’s gift card. 

 

The Teacher of the Year, selected from the five finalists, receives a total of $10,000 and an all-expense paid trip to New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. The winning teacher is also given a one-year leave to serve as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. 

 

As an ambassador, the winning teacher will tour the state on behalf of Macy's and the FDOE. 

 

 

To date, Macy’s and the Macy’s Foundation have contributed almost $3 million to teachers throughout the state. 

 

This year's finalists are: