- July 11, 2025
Flagler County Teacher of the Year Brandy Anderson has been named one of five finalists for the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year award, Flagler Schools announced.
Anderson, a seventh-grade civics teacher at Indian Trails Middle School, was selected as a finalist from among the state's 76 district teachers of the year. The 2026 Teacher of the Year will be announced in July.
Florida Department of Education representatives and Flagler Schools officials walked in on Anderson’s civics class on May 15 to surprise her with the news of her selection.
“Congratulations to Ms. Anderson for being named a 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist,” Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. said in a press release. “Ms. Anderson has set an incredible example for other teachers to follow and her commitment to her students is apparent.”
After she was nominated by ITMS for Flagler’s Teacher of the Year honor, Anderson told the Observer that she learned early on during her 16-year teaching career that relationships are everything in the classroom.
“My favorite thing about teaching is the kids,” she said. “They are my ‘why.’ The relationships you build over the school year become meaningful, and they make everything great about waking up in the morning and coming to school.”
Anderson was announced as Flagler County’s Teacher of the Year on Jan. 28 during the district’s annual Teacher and Employee of the Year Gala at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center.
“As a civics teacher at Indian Trails Middle School, Brandy encourages a deep understanding of government and civic responsibility within her students, as well a passion for critical thinking,” Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said in a district press release. “Brandy is a role model of integrity, resilience and passion for education.”
The five finalists made it through three rounds of selections from among nearly 175,000 public school teachers. A committee of teachers, principals, parents and business leaders selected the finalists on the basis of teaching and communicating the subject, professional learning and school and community service, according to the press release.
The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education and will represent the FLDOE and teachers throughout the state.
Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University and earned her AVID certification, the Gifted Endorsement and the Civics Seal of Excellence. She also serves as the ITMS Social Studies Department chair and is the school’s assistant track and field coach.
