Nominate an outstanding charter school teacher today and help celebrate the educators making a difference!
August 21, 2026 — Florida’s charter schools are home to passionate, innovative educators who are redefining student success. The Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) created the Charter School Teacher of the Year Program to celebrate exceptional teachers and highlight dynamic educators who demonstrate leadership, a commitment to student learning, and a positive impact that extends beyond the classroom to colleagues and the broader school community
Nominations are now being accepted for FCSA’s Charter School Teacher of the Year (2026-2027). Nominations are due by October 2, 2026, and can be submitted through the online nomination form.
When considering a nominee, think about the educator’s impact on student learning, how they support colleagues, and their contribution to the school community. Also consider relevant student achievement data. Nominees must be current, state-certificated teachers working at a Florida charter school.
In November 2025, Nicole Leon, an English Literature teacher, Department Head, and Instructional Coach at True North Classical Academy Dadeland Campus in Miami-Dade County, was named Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year at a reception hosted by the FCSA during the 2025 Florida Charter School Conference + School Choice Summit. Click here to see photos from that event.  Ms. Leon was selected from more than 20,000 charter school educators statewide —an extraordinary and well-deserved honor for a magnificent educator and mentor.
Those selected as Charter School Teacher of the Year finalists will be recognized by the FCSA.  One finalist will be selected to represent Florida’s charter school community in the Florida Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year Program and Gala in July 2027.
Program FAQ:
What is the Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year Program?
The program was created by the Florida Charter School Alliance to recognize and celebrate the exceptional educators working in Florida’s charter schools and to shine a light on the impact they have on students, colleagues, and their school communities. More specifically, FCSA describes the award as a way to acknowledge teachers who prioritize: student achievement and learning, innovative and effective teaching, leadership within their school, collaboration and mentoring of colleagues, contributions to the broader schools community, and a commitment of educational excellence.
Why did the Florida Charter School Alliance launch the Charter School Teacher of the Year Program?
The FCSA launched the inaugural award in 2024 as an important way to acknowledge the hard work and passion of charter school educators. The program also gives the charter school community an educator who can serve as an ambassador for Florida’s public charter school movement.
There is also a larger strategic reason for the program: FCSA wanted to make sure the accomplishments of charter school educators were recognized at the statewide level. That became especially significant in 2026, when FCSA advocacy efforts and support from the Florida Department of Education helped make it possible for a charter school educator to be eligible to participate in the Florida Teacher of the Year program — a milestone for Florida’s charter school movement.
Who is eligible for the Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year?
Eligible nominees must be current, state-certificated teachers working at a Florida charter school. When considering a nominee, think about the educator’s impact on student learning, how they support colleagues, and their contribution to the school community. Relevant student
How do I nominate a Florida charter school teacher for Teacher of the Year
 A nomination must be submitted by a school administrator, charter school governing board member, or EMO/CMO representative. Nominations are due by October 2, 2026, and can be submitted through the online nomination form.
When are nominations due for Florida Charter School Teacher of the Year 2026-2027?
The nomination deadline is October 2, 2026.
Submit all nominations to FCSA here by October 2, 2026, 6 p.m. ET. Â All sections of the nomination form must be filled out; partial submissions will be rejected.
What data should be considered when nominating a charter school teacher?
The selection committee will use a scoring matrix to evaluate nominees, which includes student performance data as one of the key criteria. The committee also considers an educator’s impact on student learning, how they support colleagues, and their contribution to the school community.
Who reviews the Florida charter school teacher for Teacher of the Year nominations, and what are the selection criteria?
All nomination forms will be reviewed and scored by a selection committee that includes representatives from the Florida Charter School Alliance. The selection committee will use a scoring matrix to evaluate nominees, which will include student performance data provided by the Florida Department of Education.
Questions?
Please contact Lynn@flcharteralliance.org with any questions regarding the Charter School Teacher of the Year program and nomination process.
