Polk County Teacher of the Year Finalists for 2026-27
All 14 finalists for Polk County Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year are now named for 2026-27, after Polk County Public Schools announced the finalists from District 6 pair on Sept. 24, 2026. The countywide winners will be named Nov. 6 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
The last finalists named are Elvin Hanna Jr., music teacher and band director at Fort Meade Middle-Senior High, and Barbara Aourik, a paraeducator at Dundee Elementary Academy.
School Board Chair Justin Sharpless, who represents District 6, wrote on his official Facebook page that he is “proud to see the district represented by two people who, in his words, make a difference for our students every day.”
Polk County Public Schools names two finalists from each of its seven school board districts, one classroom teacher and one school-related employee. The second category covers staff who work as school staff, including paraeducators, secretaries, nurses, custodians, food service workers and bus drivers. The district released the finalists over five weeks, starting in August and finishing with District 6 last week.
Teacher of the Year finalists
District 1, Nicole Ounan, testing coordinator at Southwest Middle School, in her 20th year with Polk County Public Schools. District 2, Kasandra Lee-Regent, algebra and geometry teacher at Lake Marion Creek Middle School. District 3, Chris Lynch, exceptional student education inclusion teacher at Stephens Academy. District 4, Sharon Griffin, third-grade teacher at Snively Elementary School. District 5, Lindsey Smith, language arts teacher at Kathleen High School. District 6, Elvin Hanna Jr., music teacher and band director at Fort Meade Middle-Senior High. District 7, Johansson Colis, math and science teacher and fourth-grade chair at Lena Vista Elementary School. (Photos courtesy of Polk County Public Schools.)
School-Related Employee of the Year finalists
District 1, Cherlynn Soto Garcia, principal’s secretary at Lakeland High School. District 2, Sara Martinez, media paraeducator at Bella Citta Elementary School. District 3, Jean Turner, student-specific exceptional student education paraeducator at Chain of Lakes Elementary School. District 4, Natali Arboleda, paraeducator at East Area Adult School. District 5, Monae Driver, registrar secretary at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy. District 6, Barbara Aourik, paraeducator at Dundee Elementary Academy. District 7, Casilda Meldau, custodial foreman at Wendell Watson Elementary School, in her 22nd year with the district and named School-Related Employee of the Year for the third time. (Photos courtesy of Polk County Public Schools.)
What the finalists are competing for
The two countywide winners will be named at the Inspire Awards on Friday, Nov. 6 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The event is presented by the Polk Education Foundation with the district’s Department of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships, and MIDFLORIDA Credit Union is the title sponsor.
Finalists receive video tributes and gifts from sponsors at the ceremony, and the district says the winners and the remaining finalists receive cash awards and prizes donated by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. Both countywide winners go on to compete for the Florida state titles.
How finalists are chosen
The recognition program honors roughly 240 employees across the district each year. Judges weigh leadership and professional development activities, community and school involvement, and teaching style. The panel is drawn from community members tied to local organizations and businesses, along with past winners and finalists, and the district says judges review applications without knowing the applicant’s name or school.
Also recognized this month
Two Polk students were named National Merit Semifinalists for 2026-27, the district announced Sept. 9, 2026. They are Ethan Nacor of International Baccalaureate Bartow and Tyler Young of Winter Haven High School.
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FAQ
Who are the Polk County Teacher of the Year finalists for 2026-27?
The seven Teacher of the Year finalists are Nicole Ounan of Southwest Middle, Kasandra Lee-Regent of Lake Marion Creek Middle, Chris Lynch of Stephens Academy, Sharon Griffin of Snively Elementary, Lindsey Smith of Kathleen High, Elvin Hanna Jr. of Fort Meade Middle-Senior High and Johansson Colis of Lena Vista Elementary.
Who are the District 6 finalists?
Elvin Hanna Jr., the music teacher and band director at Fort Meade Middle-Senior High, and Barbara Aourik, a paraeducator at Dundee Elementary Academy. They were announced Sept. 24, 2026, the last of the seven districts.
How many finalists are there in all?
Fourteen, one Teacher of the Year finalist and one School-Related Employee of the Year finalist from each of the seven Polk County school board districts. All 14 have now been named.
When and where are the countywide winners announced?
At the Inspire Awards on Friday, Nov. 6 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
What is a school-related employee?
A Polk County Public Schools employee who works in a school but is not a classroom teacher. The category includes paraeducators, school secretaries, nurses, custodians, food service staff and bus drivers.
How are the finalists judged?
Judges score leadership and professional development activities, community and school involvement, and teaching style. Applications are reviewed without the applicant’s name or school attached.
Sources: “PCPS District 4 Finalists for 2026-27 TOY and SRE,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, Aug. 21, 2026; “PCPS Announces District 5 Finalists,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, Aug. 26, 2026; “PCPS District 7 Finalists for 2026-27 TOY and SRE,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, Sept. 9, 2026; “PCPS Announces District 1 Finalists for 2026-27,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, Sept. 10, 2026; “PCPS Announces District 2 Finalists for 2026-27 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, Sept. 18, 2026; “PCPS Announces District 3 Finalists for 2026-27 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, Sept. 23, 2026; “PCPS Announces District 6 Finalists for 2026-27 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year,” Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, Sept. 24, 2026; Inspire Awards, Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, accessed Sept. 26, 2026; Recognition Programs, Polk County Public Schools, polkschoolsfl.com, accessed Sept. 26, 2026; Justin Sharpless, Polk County School Board District 6, public post on his official Facebook page, Sept. 25, 2026; correspondence from Kyle Kennedy, senior coordinator of media relations, Polk County Public Schools, Sept. 21, 2026
