Regional Economic Educator
& Leadership Awards
The Regional Economic Educator & Leadership (REEL) Awards honors outstanding teachers across Florida that deliver personal finance and economic education in their classrooms each day. In partnership with four of our affiliate Centers for Economic and Financial Education – the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Florida Atlantic University and Miami Dade College – REEL takes a closer look, at a local level, at a teacher’s achievements, leadership, and commitment to economic and financial education. These factors will determine the nominations, and after careful review, our REEL teachers.
2024 REEL AWARDS
The REEL Awards honor outstanding teachers across Florida who deliver personal finance and economic education in their classrooms each day. Their dedication as advocates for these critical subjects is appreciated and is being recognized with the following prizes:
On-Site Event/Award Ceremony For All Winners
$200 Check Per Teacher
A Leadership Recognition Certificate
Charles C. Harper Award (one teacher chosen) $1,000 check and free admission into the 2024 National CEE Conference
Program Advisor Award (one teacher chosen) $500 check
We are so grateful for our winners hard work to bring economics, personal finance, entrepreneurship and free enterprise education to life of their your students. We admire their creativity and appreciate the opportunity to celebrate them.
How are the REEL Teachers picked?
Unlike previous awards ceremonies, most of the REEL Teachers will be chosen by their local Centers
Each Center will determine eligibility within their region – this varies from region to region
Criteria could include workshop attendance, FCEE program participation, school or district leadership, awards and recognition
No projects will be required or accepted for this year’s programs
What are the REEL Awards?
The REEL Awards program will be individually hosted at each of the three participating Centers for Economic and Financial Education in partnership with local sponsors, the Federal Reserve, and the FCEE
REEL Awards will include cash prizes and a celebratory meal for winners and their guests
Each Ceremony will honor educators from K-5, Middle School and High School
How do I know if I am a REEL Teacher?
Each Center and/or the FCEE will be reaching out to individuals with invitations to attend if they are a finalist
Events are invite only, but all winners can expect to bring a plus one
What if my local Center isn’t participating/I don’t have a Center/ I wasn’t chosen by my Center this year… am I excluded?
Not necessarily! Two of our BIGGEST awards are open to ALL teachers statewide! We will still be looking for our Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year and our FCEE Program Advisor of the Year recognizing their outstanding participation and proven success utilizing the various programs the FCEE provides. See details below.
CONGRATULATIONS 2023 WINNERS
Paul Turney - Alachua
Cassandra Silvers - Alachua
Teresa Brazee - Brevard
Erika Luna - Broward
Audrey Spicer - Broward
Shekia Wright - Broward
Kelly Panza - Broward
Luz Gallego - Broward
Lisa Cook - Broward
Winston Erasme - Broward
Albert Mullens - Broward
Kim Day - Broward
Emily Raska - Broward
Christopher Leporte - Broward
Laura Pactel - Charlotte
Cindy Wingate - Clay
Christopher Lee - Clay
Batul Fatima - Clay
Wendy Bauer - Collier
Adam Zupkoff - Columbia
Andre Lawrence - Dade
Daniela Brenha - Dade
Sheldon Wilson - Dade
Jose Miranda - Dade
Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year
Debra LaFountaine
Celebration High School, Osceola County
FCEE Program Advisor of the Year
Arlo Rappaport
Eagles Landing Middle School, Palm Beach County
Michelle Martinez - Dade
Kenneth Fonseca - Dade
Tanika Bennett - Dade
Alex Bichel - Dade
Ivette Leyva - Dade
Tony Hamner - Dade
Nathan Stanley - Duval
Janika Brice - Duval
Dennis Clemons - Duval
Jenecy Griffin - Duval
Tiffany Neal-Butts - Duval
Ja'Keisha Brown - Duval
Aundrelet Clarke - Duval
Blanchaca Smith - Duval
Dr. Marie McMarrow - Duval
Deborah Lepper - Duval
Byron Scott - Escambia
Catherine Albury Owens - Escambia
Jeremy Schaefer - FL Department of Corrections
Judd Bristo - Flagler
Arthur Parker - Florida Virtual
James Ramey - Highlands
Christina Angel Danger - Hillsborough
Brittany Sampson - Hillsborough
Kara Windish - Hillsborough
Bree Schaub - Hillsborough
Beverly Ledbetter - Hillsborough
Lisa Lawson - Hillsborough
Brian Wasmuth - Hillsborough
Reza Razavi - Hillsborough
Aliza Bar-David - Lake
Julianne Farricker - Marion
Jennifer Cox - Orange
Gary Hoog - Osceola
Riley Bartels - Palm Beach
Jamey Potts - Palm Beach
Thomas Coates - Palm Beach
Marjorie Chiarolcazio - Palm Beach
Matthew (Liam) Mason - Seminole
Dwayne Kennedy - St. Johns
Simona Hulubescu - Taylor
Chris Weinrich - Volusia
Kathleen Courtney - Volusia
Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year
Honoring one outstanding K-12 educator that is seen as an advocate for economic and personal finance education and who seamlessly integrates it into their coursework. Named for Charlie Harper, longtime director for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Miami, the award provides a $1,000 stipend for the winning teacher.
(Photo: 2021 Winner: Eric Fields, Mandarin High School, Duval County)
FCEE Program Advisor of the Year
Recognizing one K-12 educator who has implemented one of the FCEE’s programs or resources in their classroom over the last school year. This award provides a $500 stipend for the winning teacher.
(Photo: 2023 Winner: Arlo Rappaport
Eagles Landing Middle School, Palm Beach County
