Thursday, September 18, 2025
STUART, Fla. — The Education Foundation of Martin County is once again honoring the area’s top teachers who have been nominated for its annual Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration, presented by Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart. Each year, the Foundation invites every school in Martin County to nominate one of its teachers for this prestigious award. There are 24 candidates for the 2025-2026 program.
The celebration will be held Nov. 14, when the top scoring candidates will be recognized as the Elementary School Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Cigna Healthcare; the Middle School Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities; and the High School Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Keiser University. From these honorees, one will be named the overall Martin County Teacher of the Year and will represent the district in the Florida Department of Education’s state competition.
In addition, one school will earn the coveted Spirit Award, recognizing the staff whose creativity, enthusiasm, and theme-inspired energy shine brightest during the evening’s festivities.
This year’s teacher candidates are:
Jessica Losapio, Bessey Creek Elementary School
Trish Harris, Citrus Grove Elementary School
Trevor Lawson, Crystal Lake Elementary School
Rachel Smith, Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School
Scottie Borror, Felix A. Williams Elementary School
Joelisa Swain, Hidden Oaks Middle School
Bailey Shaw, Hobe Sound Elementary School
Yeseniah Brancaccio, The Hope Center for Autism
Sarahi Monjaras, Indiantown Middle School
Leah Sacks, J.D. Parker School of Science, Math & Technology
Lauren Liberty, Jensen Beach Elementary School
Aaron Gilbert, Jensen Beach High School
Chanda Leon, Martin County High School
Stephanie Moreno, Murray Middle School
Lexi Gray, Palm City Elementary School
Amanda McGowan, Pinewood Elementary School
Fran Churchey-Martinez, Port Salerno Elementary School
William Koperski, Riverbend Academy
Elliott Harris, SeaWind Elementary School
Jen Nixon, South Fork High School
Cassie Mailhot, Stuart Middle School
Tara Hazel, Treasure Coast Classical Academy
Terra Monique Maggio, Warfield Elementary School
Betty Remy Joseph, Willoughby Learning Center
The public is encouraged to participate by voting for their favorite teacher nominee online at www.EducationFoundationMC.org and sharing how this teacher makes a positive difference at school or in the community.
Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart, part of the Murgado Automotive Group, Inc., has proudly served as presenting sponsor for 12 years.
Devin Carlson, the company’s partner and general manager, said, “For more than a decade, Murgado Automotive has celebrated the extraordinary teachers of Martin County, who dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our children. Our support is a reflection of the gratitude and respect we feel for the incredible work they do every day. It is a privilege to carry on this tradition by celebrating the Teacher of the Year with the keys to a brand-new luxury car to enjoy throughout the year.”
Additional event sponsors include HCA Florida Healthcare, Robert J. Weissman, Martin County Administrative & Supervisory Association, Cook Shell Contractors, Gehring Group - a Risk Strategies Company, Coral Shores Behavioral Health, Treasure Coast Urgent Care, Conchy Joe's Restaurants, Inc., Proctor Construction, Centegix, Hedrick Brothers Construction, Briana Lawson Foundation, Florida Power & Light Company and Seacoast Bank. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn how to support this unique teacher recognition program, visit the foundation’s website at https://www.educationfoundationmc.org/p/106/teacher-of-the-year, or call 772-600-8062.
The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic non-profit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the Foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, please visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.
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The celebration will be held Nov. 14, when the top scoring candidates will be recognized as the Elementary School Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Cigna Healthcare; the Middle School Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities; and the High School Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Keiser University. From these honorees, one will be named the overall Martin County Teacher of the Year and will represent the district in the Florida Department of Education’s state competition.
In addition, one school will earn the coveted Spirit Award, recognizing the staff whose creativity, enthusiasm, and theme-inspired energy shine brightest during the evening’s festivities.
This year’s teacher candidates are:
Jessica Losapio, Bessey Creek Elementary School
Trish Harris, Citrus Grove Elementary School
Trevor Lawson, Crystal Lake Elementary School
Rachel Smith, Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School
Scottie Borror, Felix A. Williams Elementary School
Joelisa Swain, Hidden Oaks Middle School
Bailey Shaw, Hobe Sound Elementary School
Yeseniah Brancaccio, The Hope Center for Autism
Sarahi Monjaras, Indiantown Middle School
Leah Sacks, J.D. Parker School of Science, Math & Technology
Lauren Liberty, Jensen Beach Elementary School
Aaron Gilbert, Jensen Beach High School
Chanda Leon, Martin County High School
Stephanie Moreno, Murray Middle School
Lexi Gray, Palm City Elementary School
Amanda McGowan, Pinewood Elementary School
Fran Churchey-Martinez, Port Salerno Elementary School
William Koperski, Riverbend Academy
Elliott Harris, SeaWind Elementary School
Jen Nixon, South Fork High School
Cassie Mailhot, Stuart Middle School
Tara Hazel, Treasure Coast Classical Academy
Terra Monique Maggio, Warfield Elementary School
Betty Remy Joseph, Willoughby Learning Center
The public is encouraged to participate by voting for their favorite teacher nominee online at www.EducationFoundationMC.org and sharing how this teacher makes a positive difference at school or in the community.
Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart, part of the Murgado Automotive Group, Inc., has proudly served as presenting sponsor for 12 years.
Devin Carlson, the company’s partner and general manager, said, “For more than a decade, Murgado Automotive has celebrated the extraordinary teachers of Martin County, who dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our children. Our support is a reflection of the gratitude and respect we feel for the incredible work they do every day. It is a privilege to carry on this tradition by celebrating the Teacher of the Year with the keys to a brand-new luxury car to enjoy throughout the year.”
Additional event sponsors include HCA Florida Healthcare, Robert J. Weissman, Martin County Administrative & Supervisory Association, Cook Shell Contractors, Gehring Group - a Risk Strategies Company, Coral Shores Behavioral Health, Treasure Coast Urgent Care, Conchy Joe's Restaurants, Inc., Proctor Construction, Centegix, Hedrick Brothers Construction, Briana Lawson Foundation, Florida Power & Light Company and Seacoast Bank. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn how to support this unique teacher recognition program, visit the foundation’s website at https://www.educationfoundationmc.org/p/106/teacher-of-the-year, or call 772-600-8062.
The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic non-profit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the Foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, please visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.
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