Krista Stanley named Florida’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Krista Stanley, a sixth grade math teacher from Okeechobee, Florida, has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Florida Department of Education.

I enjoy sharing stories about outstanding educators who have been recognized for their work in the classroom. One of these is Krista Stanley, a middle school teacher from Okeechobee, Florida. Krista was named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from over 176,900 public school teachers for the honor.

As a youngster, Krista graduated from Okeechobee High School in her home town. She then earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Florida State University in 2016.

Krista inaugurated her career as an educator four years ago when she accepted a position at Yearling Middle School in her home town of Okeechobee. The school’s population is described as high poverty and high diversity. She teaches sixth grade mathematics there.

According to David Krakoff, Principal of Yearling Middle School, 86% of Krista’s students earned a proficient score on the Florida State Assessment in 2019. “Krista has mastered the art of meeting the needs of all our students,” asserted Krakoffl. “She is the model of what we can accomplish.”

In addition to her work in the classroom, Krista serves as a coach for her colleagues, a mentor for new teachers, a team leader for the other sixth-grade teachers, and a district math representative. In addition, Krista supports her colleagues through curriculum development, textbook adoption, and professional development.

As the 2021 Florida Teacher of the Year, Krista will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, working to create increased public awareness of Florida’s outstanding teachers and elevating the education profession. In addition, she will receive a check for $20,000, and a two-year Florida College scholarship worth $8,000 to present to a student of her choice, according to the Florida State Department of Education.

Congratulations, Krista! To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article about her published by the Florida State Department of Education.