Jaime Suarez

Wishing Florida families a Happy New Year! We look forward to building on all the academic success of 2024 as we welcome 2025!

✨What an incredible experience I had at the #floridacharterschools and #schoolchoicesummit. This conference was nothing short of amazing, bringing together educators, leaders, and advocates from across the state to work together to shape the future of education. I was honored to be a keynote speaker at the opening session along with Dr. Tony Arza from the Florida Charter School Alliance, @ExcellenceInEd. We also were able to hear Manny Diaz and Eva Moskowitz discuss the impact that Success Academy has had in New York. Their dedication to education is inspiring! I also attended many powerful workshops led by Florida Department of Education, @EducationFL and Florida Charter Institute, @FLCharterInst. Lastly, I was honored to be at the inaugural Florida Charter Teacher of the Year reception. Congratulations to Shereen Reid from Somerset Prep at North Lauderdale, it was a pleasure meeting you and seeing your passion for education!

🤩I had a wonderful time when I visited Padgett Elementary! This school has a feel of warmth and connection that you experience as soon as you step on campus! A big thank you to Elizabeth Ashmore, Polk County Public Schools’ 2025 Teacher of the Year, for showing me all the wonderful things happening at your school! The PE coach at Padgett is also doing incredible things with character development in all of his classes. Coach Clark joined the world of education through @EducationFL’s Veteran Teacher Program. This was an innovative way to get qualified individuals into schools where they can be utilizing their skills. It was amazing to see this in action!🏃‍♂️🏋️‍♂️

🎉The last day of the National Summit was just as impactful as the first two! Our opening keynote was Dan Heath, who encouraged us to “move upstream” by identifying and addressing problems before they become a crisis. We ended the Summit with Arkansas’ Governor @SarahHuckabee . She spoke to how they have prioritized education reform by promoting literacy initiatives, increasing teacher pay and promoting school choice. 👏 I left the event feeling inspired and excited about the collaboration happening across the states. It’s incredible to see policymakers coming together to share ideas and learn from what’s working in education. I am grateful to Foundation for Excellence in Education for the opportunity to have been in the room for these important discussions! ☺️

Day two of @ExcelinEd Foundation for Excellence in Education did not disappoint! We started the day with Governor @JebBush as our keynote speaker! 🔑 Then a full day of professional learning! It is surreal to hear the discussions happening at the national level. It is enlightening to be in a room with so many people who all have one goal: help our students succeed. 📈 Can’t wait for tomorrow!

Kicking off the Summit with Foundation for Excellence in Education in Oklahoma! Excited to be with Melissa Matz, 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year and Sarah Smart Painter, 2022 Florida Teacher of the Year! We also met Braden Wilson, South Carolina Teacher of the Year! Thank you to PowerSchool for hosting the reception! I was excited to reconnect with old friends and meet some new faces! It’s going to be a great week here in Oklahoma!

I absolutely loved my visit to Oakridge Middle in Collier County Public School District. There are so many amazing things happening at this phenomenal middle school! 🐾 🇺🇸The highlight was the emotional Veteran’s Day parade that they planned. The students and staff came together to honor and celebrate our veterans in such a meaningful way! It was a truly heartwarming experience that reminded me of the power of gratitude and service! ❤️🤍💙 Happy Veteran’s Day! 🇺🇸 Thank a Veteran, TODAY and EVERY DAY! ❤️🤍💙 @collierschools #2025fltoy

❤️I had the most heartfelt visit to North Beach Elementary,@northbeachstar, in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, @MDCPS . ⭐️ This school offers a Primary Years Programme as part of the International Baccalaureate. Their goals are to help students develop critical thinking, inquiry skills and a love for learning that lasts a lifetime! It was so exciting to see such love and dedication as they are shaping the leaders of tomorrow! #fltoy2025

What an incredible day at Weeki Wachee High School for the 2nd annual Teachers in Action Conference! 🎉 The energy was unmatched as the entire county came together in ONE location, at ONE time, all working together to improve our practice. It truly doesn’t get better than this! 👏 A huge thank you to Hernando Schools for organizing such an impactful day for all of us! Thank you Ray Pinder, Superintendent of Hernando Schools for supporting teachers! It was amazing to get to hear Kim Bearden from the Ron Clark Academy! She is very energetic and her words were powerful! 💪 @wwhshornets @HernandoSchools

⭐️ I had an inspiring conversation with Susie Carmelo and Kathryn Perkins from @FLCharterInst. Their commitment to helping charters implement research-based, best-practices is making a real impact! Excited to see the progress they’re driving in education!

🌟What an honor to visit Prairie Lake Elementary-OCPS in Orange County Public Schools. Every classroom was alive with fabulous instruction and engaged students! It’s inspiring to see such dedication and passion for learning! 📚✨

💡I had a wonderful time at Suwannee Springcrest Elementary, a shining example of a Leader in Me Lighthouse School! ✨It was truly uplifting to see the students actively stepping into their leadership roles and making a positive impact in their community.

What an incredible week!! 🎉 🥰I had the chance to reconnect with 62 of the phenomenal teachers that are participating in the Florida Lead program. The atmosphere in the room was infectious-full of inspiration, encouragement and excitement!! Thank you to the Florida Department of Education, Dream Developer Network, NEFEC and Develop Teaching for supporting us on this exciting journey! This year is going to be one that ALL of us will never forget! #FL74Strong #fltoy2025 #floridateacherslead @EducationFL @DreamDvlper @nefec @ChristieBassett

✨Hamilton County School District 2024-2025 School Year has a Teacher Lead Network, inspired by Florida’s initiative, to elevate and empower incredible educators. 🥰I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the induction ceremony for new members. I was also thrilled to be able to participate as an honorary member in the pinning ceremony.

🥰 I had an unforgettable visit to Hamilton County School District 2024-2025 School Year! From the moment I pulled into the parking lot, the warm welcome set the tone for an incredible day! ⭐️This small county truly knows how to elevate both teachers and students in a BIG way! 💪 I feel so blessed to have spent time with such passionate individuals. I already can’t wait to go back!

🤩 I had a remarkable visit with Dwynette Smith, Alachua County Public Schools 2025 Teacher of the Year. It was incredible to witness firsthand how their commitment to fostering strong relationships with students is making such an impact at Metcalfe Elementary School.

💫 I had an excellent visit at Q.I. Roberts Jr-Sr High School in Putnam County School District! They truly demonstrated excellence in education, from their outstanding CTE programs to their rigorous core classes. Proud to see them recognized nationally as a Blue Ribbon School- an honor awarded to only 15 other Florida schools! 👏👏 It was also great to reconnect with Ian M Boze, Putnam’s 2025 County Teacher of the Year. He is one of the many reasons Q.I. Roberts has earned such high accolades! 🎉

🤩 I had a fantastic time visiting Thunderbolt Elementary School! I had the privilege of being a guest reader. I was also able to explore a few classrooms. The energy and enthusiasm from the students were truly contagious! ⚡️