Florida Charter School Alliance Educator Named a 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist

May 13, 2026

FDOE Press Office 850-245-0413 [email protected]

Florida Charter School Alliance Educator Named a 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist

Senior Chancellor Paul Burns congratulates Nicole Leon, one of five finalists for the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year.

Senior Chancellor Paul Burns, Belkys Rubio, Dean of Curriculum, Chereen Coile, Head of Schools at Dadeland Campus, Nicole Leon, 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist, Jeanine Finlay, Head of Schools, Founder and President Mike Bileca, Executive Director Paul Powell.

Nicole Leon, a sixth-grade literature teacher at True North Classical Academy, with her students.

Tallahassee, Fla., May 13, 2026 - Today, the Florida Department of Education announced Nicole Leon, a sixth-grade literature teacher at True North Classical Academy, as one of five finalists for the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year. The state finalists were chosen from 74 district teachers of the year. The 2027 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year will be announced in July.

"Nicole Leon challenges students academically while also helping shape their character, ensuring they grow as both thinkers and individuals," said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. "The preparation she provides is exactly the kind of preparation students need to succeed. Congratulations on being named a state teacher of the year finalist."

"Year after year, Nicole's students demonstrate strong learning gains with a majority of her students scoring at an advanced level 4 or 5," said Michael Bileca, Founder and President of True North Classical Academy. "But what makes her truly extraordinary cannot be captured fully in data. In Nicole's classroom, literature is not merely studied, it is encountered. She teaches students how to engage in real discussion: to disagree with respect, to support their ideas with evidence and to pursue truth together rather than simply "win" an argument. I can think of no educator more deserving of this recognition than Nicole Leon."

About Nicole Leon

Nicole Leon is a sixth-grade literature teacher at True North Classical Academy, a charter school which is part of the Florida Charter School Alliance. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she serves as grade-level chair, lead teacher and instructional coach, providing academic and instructional leadership across her team. Ms. Leon focuses not only on academic rigor but also on the development of character. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Clearwater Christian College.

The 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year state finalists were chosen from more than 170,000 public school teachers. After each school district or eligible charter school consortia selects its teacher of the year, a committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community reviews each 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.

For more information about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.