Hernando County math teacher named Florida Teacher of the Year

A Hernando County educator is the 2024 Florida Teacher of the Year.

Jaime Suarez, a math teacher at Hernando County Schools’ Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics, received the honor from education commissioner Manny Diaz at a Thursday evening gala in Orlando.

At Challenger, Suarez is a team lead and mentor, coordinates the math field day and is on the district’s science textbook and selection committee.

She will receive a $50,000 award and a tuition waiver for a graduate degree from Florida State University’s College of Education. Suarez will also spend one year advocating for students and teachers as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. And she’ll be able to give a two-year Florida College scholarship to one of her students.

“I look forward to seeing the impact that she will make on educators across the state over the next year,” Diaz said in a statement.

Suarez was selected from five finalists, including one, Clayton Nylund, who’s a science teacher at Tampa’s Blake High School.

The five finalists received a $20,000 check presented by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this week in Orlando.

In his speech, DeSantis referenced Florida education laws such as the classroom cell phone ban and the Teacher’s Bill of Rights as ways the state has supported teachers.

“We’ve been receptive as teachers have told us what can be improved,” he said. “I know there’s other things that we’re going to do in the ensuing years, and we’re looking forward to working with you all to make Florida an even better place for education.”

Also on Thursday, Pinellas County Schools teacher Gerard Madrinan won the Mary J. Brogan Excellence in Teaching award, presented to a district teacher of the year “who instills a passion for learning in their students.” Madrinan is a music teacher and the band director at Seminole High School.

All 74 district teachers of the year received $10,000.