Liberty County Educator Named a 2026 Teacher of the Year Finalist
May 12, 2025
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
DOEPressOffice@fldoe.org
Liberty County Educator Named a 2026 Teacher of the Year Finalist
Tallahassee, Fla., May 12, 2025 – Today, the Florida Department of Education announced Katy Jo Harrison, a first-grade teacher at Hosford Elementary and Junior High School in Liberty 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.
“I am pleased to recognize Katy Jo Harrison as one of five finalists for the 2026 Teacher of the Year award,” said 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,” said 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.”
About Katy Jo Harrison
Katy Jo Harrison is a first-grade teacher at Hosford Elementary and Junior High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education/Exceptional Student Education from Flagler College, is English for Speakers of Other Languages and reading endorsed, obtained the Civics Seal of Excellence and is currently working toward her Literacy Coach endorsement. Harrison also developed the first-grade writing rubric for grading student papers and is rated a highly effective teacher.
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.
For more information about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.
Read More News...