👩🏫 Who: Kimberly Day-Scanlon, Okaloosa County School District, Superintendent Marcus Chambers
🏆 What: Selection of the 2027 Teacher of the Year
📅 When: Announcement made in 2026 following 2025 school-level selections
📍 Where: Kenwood Elementary School, Okaloosa County, Florida
❤️ Why: To recognize outstanding educators and celebrate excellence in teaching
Okaloosa County, FL — The Okaloosa County School District has officially named Kimberly Day-Scanlon, a special education teacher at Kenwood Elementary School, as its 2027 Teacher of the Year, recognizing her dedication to student success and excellence in education.
Day-Scanlon serves as a 4th and 5th-grade ESE CBA teacher and brings years of experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, and her Master of Science in Inclusive Education/Special Education from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised Day-Scanlon’s impact on students and the district.
“Ms. Day-Scanlon exemplifies the heart of teaching in Okaloosa County,” Chambers said. “Her dedication to students, particularly those with unique learning needs, reflects the very best of our profession.”
In addition to the district’s top honoree, OCSD also recognized two runners-up for the 2027 Teacher of the Year title:
Kimberly Moran, Art Teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School
Sarah Theres, Music Teacher at Florosa Elementary School
This year’s Teacher of the Year program included 38 nominees, representing one educator from each Okaloosa County school campus. The program recognizes excellence one year in advance, with school-level selections beginning in 2025.
As the district’s representative, Day-Scanlon will now compete at the state level against educators from 71 public school districts and educational institutions across Florida. She will also participate in the Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Roundtable and attend the Macy’s Gala Awards Ceremony, where the Florida Teacher of the Year will be announced.
District leaders also thanked the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, the Okaloosa County Education Association, the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, and community sponsors for supporting the program and recognizing excellence in education.
A video of the Teacher of the Year celebration is available here:
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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