- January 2, 2026
Teresa Phillips has always held a genuine and lifelong love of learning and teaching. But unlike most teachers, Phillips is not tied to one classroom.
Phillips has worked at Flagler Schools since 2004, beginning as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years. She said she jumped at the chance to become an instructional technology specialist because it allowed her to impact more kids than just her one group of students.
“When I taught, I loved it, but I impacted the kids in my class,” she said. “But this, I've really been able to work at all the schools.”
Phillips is one of the Flagler Schools employees responsible for training teachers and students in digital literacy skills, showing them the most effective way to use the rapidly evolving technology at their fingertips. Her department is responsible for some 18,000 devices, she said, as well as the programs that run them.
More than teaching, Phillips said she really loves facilitating learning in people, regardless of who they are.
“I like teaching kids, I like teaching adults,” she said. “I like teaching or showing, whether it be the teachers or the students, how they can learn more.”
I like teaching or showing, whether it be the teachers or the students, how they can learn more.”
— TERESA PHILLIPS, Flagler Schools instructional technology specialist
Phillips credits her love of education to her mother, who recently died. Phillips’ mother instilled a love of learning in her, Phillips said, and it’s now after she has died that Phillips has learned the lasting impact her mother has had on others.
“Going through and reminiscing with people that she worked with and different people she made an impact with — I really realized how much she did,” Phillips said.
Belle Terre Elementary School teacher Robyn McAnany has known Phillips since they worked together at Indian Trails K-8 Center in 2004. As a teacher, and now as an instructional technology specialist, Phillips embraces the philosophy of being a lifelong learner, McAnany said.
“Teresa loves to learn new things and then get others pumped up to learn as well,” McAnany said. “She thrives on challenge and growth and inspiring coworkers and friends and students to come along and grow with her.”
But it is not just work that Phillips dedicates herself too, McAnany said. She is just as dedicated to being involved in her community, including through her involvement in Flagler Beach Creates.
Christy Cox, secretary for Flagler Beach Creates, said Phillips is instrumental to Flagler Beach Creates, which is a nonprofit under Flagler Strong. Cox described the nonprofits as the “creative arm to Flagler Strong.”
Cox said they are always in need of volunteers and Phillips joined the organization in 2024 after helping out at several events. Phillips was especially integral in growing the 2025 Scarecrows of Flagler Beach event, Cox said.
She thrives on challenge and growth and inspiring coworkers and friends and students to come along and grow with her.”
— ROBYN MCANANY, Belle Terre Elementary
The Scarecrow event is an annual “artistic celebration of fall,” according to the website, that features “artfully designed scarecrows” in front of businesses and civic buildings. Cox said this year Flagler Beach Creates was challenged with finding new ways to drum up excitement and participation in the scarecrow event for businesses.
Phillips created a stamp card, where residents could go tour Flagler Beach’s 45 participating businesses and receive a stamp.
When they reached a certain number of stamps, they could exchange that for a discount in the store. It was a huge hit, Cox said, inspiring a lot of public participation. Phillips is always finding creative solutions to their problems, from using her technical skills to upgrade their online presence and processes to designing a new logo for the Witches & Warlocks bike ride.
“I love Teresa, because she always turns it around,” Cox said. “She always steps up.”
Cox and Martha Estberg said Phillips just has that “community spirit.” Estberg is one of Phillips’ close friends and the two have known each other for years. Estberg said Phillips is a very motivated person.
“She’s always willing to volunteer and help out with the community whenever there is time or a need,” she said.
Estberg said Phillips is the first to reach out if someone needs help.
“She’s just a good friend, she’s always there,” Estberg said.
Phillips said she does the work with Flagler Beach Creates and at Flagler Schools because she can see first-hand the impact it has on her community. It makes a difference, she said, and she loves to be a part of that.
“I see the difference it makes with the kids,” she said. “I think that's really why I still do this job. I like seeing all the kids that benefit.”
