Nassau County Educator Named a 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist
May 7, 2026
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Nassau County Educator Named a 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year Finalist
Kathy Burns, Superintendent, Sarah Twardy, Senior Chancellor Paul Burns
Sarah Twardy, a high school U.S. History and Government teacher at Fernandina Beach High School in Nassau County, with her students.
Tallahassee, Fla., May 7, 2026 – Today, the Florida Department of Education announced Sarah Twardy, a high school U.S. History and Government teacher at Fernandina Beach High School in Nassau County, as one of five finalists for the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year. The state finalists were chosen from 74 district teachers of the year. The 2027 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year will be announced in July.
“Educators who lead with purpose and an unwavering commitment to excellence create meaningful impact far beyond their own classrooms, and Sarah Twardy exemplifies this every day,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Her recognition as a state finalist underscores the vital role teachers play in advancing student success and strengthening their school communities.”
“Sarah Twardy exemplifies what it means to be an educator in Nassau County,” said Dr. Kathy Burns, Superintendent of Schools for the Nassau County School District. “She is committed to continuous improvement, dedicated to serving others and focused on ensuring every student feels support and inspired to succeed. Her inquiry-based approach encourages students to think critically, ask meaningful questions and connect historical learning to their roles as active citizens.”
About Sarah Twardy
Sarah Twardy is the lead U.S. History and Government teacher at Fernandina Beach High School in Nassau County. Ms. Twardy’s impact is reflected in student achievement, most notably through her role in delivering instruction that led to a 92% pass rate on the U.S. History End-of-Course exam, the highest in the school’s history. In addition to her work in the classroom, she mentors pre-service teachers and supports fellow faculty, serving as a clinical educator who helps shape the next generation of educators through hands-on practicum supervision. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies and a Master of Arts in United States History from the University of Albany.
The 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year state finalists were chosen from more than 170,000 public school teachers. After each school district or eligible charter school consortia selects its teacher of the year, a committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community reviews each application on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional learning and outstanding school and community service. The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education and will represent the Department of Education and teachers throughout the state.
For more information about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.
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