The Flagler County Schools’ Teacher of the Year is now up for wider recognition as one of five finalists for 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year.
Brandy Nicole Anderson, a seventh-grade civics and social studies teacher at Indian Trails Middle School for the past 10 years, was selected from 76 district teachers of the year after being recognized for her 16 years in education by Flagler County in January.
“Ms. Anderson has set an incredible example for other teachers to follow and her commitment to students is apparent,” Manny Diaz, Florida commissioner of education, said in a news release.
The Florida Teacher of the Year will be announced in July and will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, representing the Florida Department of Education and teachers throughout the state.
Neither Flagler nor Volusia county has ever had a state teacher of the year, according to the Florida Teachers Lead website.
Flagler County Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said Anderson exudes the qualities of a Teacher of the Year.
“As a civics teacher at Indian Trails Middle School, Brandy encourages a deep understanding of government and civic responsibility within her students, as well as a passion for critical thinking,” Moore said in the news release. “Brandy is a role model of integrity, resilience and passion for education.”
Anderson has a bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University in Ohio and earned her AVID certification, the gifted endorsement and the Civics Seal of Excellence. She chairs Indian Trails’ Social Studies Department and is the assistant track and field coach.
The Florida Department of Education has announced four of the five finalists as of May 15. The others are Mark Harrison, an economics and American government teacher for grades 9-12 at Union County High School; Shelly Teel, a third-grade teacher at Westside Elementary School in Columbia County; and Katy Jo Harrison, a first-grade teacher at Hosford Elementary and Junior High School.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Could Palm Coast teacher become Volusia-Flagler area’s 1st Florida Teacher of the Year?
Reporting by Mark Harper, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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