Citrus County Educator Named a 2026 Teacher of the Year Finalist
May 16, 2025
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Citrus County Educator Named a 2026 Teacher of the Year Finalist
Tallahassee, Fla., May 16, 2025 – Today, the Florida Department of Education announced Autumn Crabtree, a culinary arts teacher at Crystal River High School in Citrus County, as one of five finalists for 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year. The state finalists were chosen from 76 district teachers of the year. The 2026 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year winner will be announced in July.
“Autumn Crabtree is a dedicated and talented culinary arts teacher,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “She strives to make her classes dynamic and relevant, ensuring her students gain real-world knowledge and skills that translate into career readiness.”
“Ms. Crabtree possesses a rare combination of technical expertise and an innate ability to connect with her students,” said Citrus County Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert. “She consistently demonstrates her passion for teaching, her commitment to her students’ success and her remarkable ability to create an engaging and enriching learning environment.”
About Autumn Crabtree
Autumn Crabtree is a culinary arts teacher at Crystal River High School in Citrus County. She received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Management from Grand Canyon University. She is certified in Middle Grades Mathematics and Family and Consumer Science.
The 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year state finalists were chosen from nearly 175,000 public school teachers. After each school district selects its teacher of the year, a committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community reviews each district application on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional learning and outstanding school and community service. The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education and will represent the Department of Education and teachers throughout the state.
In partnership with the Florida Education Foundation, the Florida Teacher of the Year program is made possible by these generous sponsors: 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.
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