May 12, 2025
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
Liberty County Teacher Advances as Finalist for 2026 State Honor
Tallahassee, Fla., May 12, 2025 – A remarkable educator from Liberty County, Katy Jo Harrison, has been named one of the five contenders for the prestigious 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year award. This announcement was made by the Florida Department of Education, spotlighting Harrison from among 76 district-level nominees. The final winner will be revealed in July.
“I am pleased to recognize Katy Jo Harrison as one of five finalists for the 2026 Teacher of the Year award,” stated Commissioner of Education Many Diaz, Jr. “Ms. Harrison is truly dedicated to her students and the teaching profession.”
“Because of Katy Jo’s tenacity and desire for student success, she is the epitome of what we want a teacher to be in Liberty County,” commented Liberty County Schools Superintendent Kyle Peddie. “Her classroom data continues to assure school and district leadership that she ‘is getting it done’ in the classroom daily, making her a model teacher for other teachers in the district.”
Profile of Katy Jo Harrison
Harrison teaches first grade at Hosford Elementary and Junior High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education/Exceptional Student Education from Flagler College. She is endorsed in English for Speakers of Other Languages and reading, and is working towards her Literacy Coach endorsement. Notably, she created the first-grade writing rubric currently used for grading and is recognized as a highly effective teacher.
The finalists for the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year were selected from nearly 175,000 public school teachers. The selection process involves each school district nominating a teacher of the year, followed by a thorough review by a committee including teachers, principals, parents, and business leaders. The assessment criteria include teaching excellence, subject knowledge, professional learning, and community service. The winner will serve as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education for one year, representing the Department of Education and educators across Florida.
This esteemed program, in collaboration with the Florida Education Foundation, is supported by sponsors such as Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan, Florida State University Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, Helios Education Foundation, Sunshine Health, The Florida Lottery, Florida Power & Light Company, HCA Healthcare, Herff Jones, Publix Super Markets Charities, PNC Bank, and JM Family Enterprises.
To learn more about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.
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