🧑🏫 WHO: Education Staff Professional finalists — Nicole Hardin, Gretchen Levinson, and Starla Lucas — along with Superintendent Marcus Chambers and district support staff.
📘 WHAT: Recognition ceremony honoring the 2026 Education Staff Professional of the Year.
📅 WHEN: Held during the district’s annual ceremony for Education Staff Professionals.
📍 WHERE: Crosspoint Church, Niceville, Florida.
🎯 WHY: To celebrate and recognize the essential contributions of support staff who help students and schools succeed daily.
The Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) proudly honored the dedication and service of its Education Staff Professionals during the 2026 Education Staff Professional of the Year Ceremony, held at Crosspoint Church in Niceville. The event brought together district leaders, colleagues, family members, and community partners to recognize the individuals who keep schools operating smoothly and help create safe, supportive environments for students.
Education Staff Professionals include the custodians who open the buildings before dawn, the bus drivers who transport more than 18,000 students safely each day, the secretaries who manage the flow of campus life, and the support staff who handle daily operations behind the scenes. Their work, district leaders emphasized, is a cornerstone of school success.
This year’s finalists represented three campuses across the district:
Nicole Hardin, Northwood Elementary School
Gretchen Levinson, Meigs Middle School
Starla Lucas, Mary Esther Elementary School
After reviewing nominations and testimonials highlighting each finalist’s contributions, OCSD announced Nicole Hardin of Northwood Elementary School as the 2026 Education Staff Professional of the Year.
Hardin, known for her reliability, kindness, and unwavering commitment to students, has earned a strong reputation among staff and families. Colleagues describe her as the person students naturally turn to when they need reassurance, help, or simply a friendly face. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to support teachers across multiple grade levels were among the reasons she received the district’s top honor.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised all nominees and emphasized the tremendous value Education Staff Professionals bring to Okaloosa schools every single day.
“You make up the foundation of what we do every single day for kids,” Chambers said during the ceremony. “What you contribute to our schools is amazing, and it’s a huge deal. We couldn’t do what we do without you, and today we honor your dedication, commitment, and heart for students.”
Chambers highlighted the often unseen responsibilities of these professionals—from managing transportation logistics to ensuring classrooms are ready for learning each morning—and noted that their impact is felt districtwide.
The district also expressed appreciation for the planning committee and the community organizations whose partnership helped make this year’s celebration possible. Support came from a range of local groups and businesses, including:
Crosspoint Church
Okaloosa Education Staff Professionals
Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation
Okaloosa Teachers Credit Union
Okaloosa Gas
Titan Technologies
Bay Area Awards
Katie’s House of Flowers & Gifts
A2Z Specialty Advertising
Their contributions helped create an atmosphere fitting for recognizing the employees who keep Okaloosa schools running.
This annual celebration reflects OCSD’s ongoing commitment to honoring the people who support students’ daily experiences—individuals who rarely seek recognition but whose work ensures every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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