Jennifer Brown, a math teacher at Forest High School who coworkers described as “amazing,” was awarded $20,000 for being one of five finalists for Florida Teacher of the Year, coming up just shy of the title.
On Thursday, the Florida Department of Education named Jaime Suarez as the 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year. Suarez is a mathematics teacher at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics in Hernando County.
Suarez was one of five finalists vying for the award. As the winner, she receives a $50,000 bonus.
During the ceremony, each of the finalists was highlighted with a video comprised of testimonials from students, staff, and family.
A video highlighting Brown’s achievements had statements from several coworkers, students, school personnel, and her husband, who all spoke highly of the teacher.
“She’s an amazing teacher, she’s an amazing mom, and an amazing, supportive colleague,” said Emily Cook, AVID Coordinator at Forest High School.
“People are scared of math sometimes, but she’s able to break down those barriers for students, and make them feel comfortable and her students perform very well,” said Forest High School Principal Lamar Rembert.
“I just want you to realize, you deserve everything that is happening, because you are amazing” said Hollie Cunningham, a coworker at Forest High School.
During the video, Brown provided context as to her approach and why she believes her students are successful in the classroom and beyond.
“My students always say I’m the most patient teacher they’ve ever had, especially in math,” said Brown. “I think my experience across all grade levels, being a math specialist in elementary and middle school, has enabled me to know the progress of where they’re coming from and where they’re going.”
Brown, who has been teaching for over two decades, emphasized that by meeting students where they are, she can more readily help them move past obstacles that might have otherwise seemed impossible.
“I talk with my students about what future employers are looking for,” said Brown. She said her students learn how to “persevere” through challenges, and that the resilience and determination they demonstrate is something they can take with them forever.
“We fight for our students and their success every day, and that’s what inspires me,” said Brown.
Despite coming up short of the title, Brown and her fellow finalists all received a $20,000 bonus for demonstrating a “deep passion for teaching” and making a “significant impact in their respective classrooms and school communities,” according to a statement issued by the Florida Department of Education.
“Their commitment to nurturing young minds and inspiring fellow educators has set them apart as exemplary role models for both students and teachers,” reads the statement.
Earlier this year, Brown won the Marion County’s Teacher of the Year award during the 34th annual Golden Apple Gala in Ocala. In addition to advancing to the state level competition, Brown was awarded a Subaru Outback.
In May, Brown was named one of five finalists for Florida Teacher of the Year.
Brown, who teaches Geometry to students from 9th to 12 grade, has spent nearly half of her career teaching in Marion County Public Schools.
During the Golden Apple Gala in February, Brown quoted a principal who once asked her “If your class were an elective, how many kids would sign up?” She said those words have echoed in her mind for over a decade and propelled her to “infuse relevance and meaning into everything” she teaches.
The last year that a Marion County teacher was in the running for Florida Teacher of the Year was 2017, according to the department’s website.
