Florida Council on Economic Education Recognizes Outstanding Educators with 2026 REEL Awards
TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Council on Economic Education (FCEE) recently honored outstanding educators from across Florida during its annual Economic & Financial Literacy Teacher Summit, recognizing teachers who have demonstrated excellence in economic and financial literacy education through the Regional Economic Educator & Leadership (REEL) Awards.
The REEL Awards celebrate educators who are helping students build critical skills in personal finance, economics, entrepreneurship, and the free enterprise system. Presented in partnership with FCEE’s affiliated Centers for Economic and Financial Education, the awards recognize teachers whose dedication and innovation are making a lasting impact in classrooms throughout Florida.
“Financial literacy is one of the most important life skills we can teach students, and these educators are leading the way,” said Suzanne Constanza, Director of the Florida Council on Economic Education. “The REEL Award recipients are empowering young people with the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed financial decisions and achieve future success.”
Educators recognized during the 2026 Teacher Summit included representatives from the Atlantic Coast, First Coast, South Florida, and Tampa Bay regions, as well as statewide honorees.
Statewide REEL Award Recipients
Nabeeha Ali, Arthur Allison (Clay High School), Shannon Dennison (Harmony High School), Madalyn Dimas (Lehigh Senior High School), Valerie Gore (Acceleration Academy West), Carla Hollis (Orange Park High School), Jessica Morey (Buchholz High School), Norman Risoya (Lehigh Senior High School), Laurel Stevenson (Lehigh Senior High School), Nicol Stewart (Yulee High School), Michael Tolar (James Madison Preparatory High School), Donetta Woodard
Atlantic Coast Region REEL Award Recipients
Jason Aiken (College Academy), Mackeral Etienne (Boca Raton Community High School), Antoinishe Sands (Santaluces Community High School), Audrey Spicer (Western High School), Furshelia White (Western High School), Alysia Williams (McArthur High School), Raquel Wilmot (McNicol Middle School), Eneida Alvarez (Segull Alternative High School), Osma Castro (Lake Worth Middle School), David Ghensassia (Western High School), Travis Kelly (Carver Middle School), Nicole Hanna (Pompano Beach High School), Anthea Jackson (Piper High School), Monika Moorman (Central Park)
First Coast Region REEL Award Recipients
Janika Brice (Jean Ribault High School), Ja'Keshia Brown (Sandalwood High School), Fidelis Makunike (St. John's Classical Academy), LaQuanda Paschal (Jean Ribault High School), Mozella Raines (Young Men/Women Leadership Academy), Laura Russell (Atlantic Beach Elementary School), ShaRhonda Walker (Westside Middle School), Alexander McVeigh (Riverside High School), Andi Petit-Perrin (Hospital Homebound), Yakeshia Elmore (Dinsmore Elementary School), Eric Fields (Mandarin High School), Karen Moore (George W. Carver/Rutledge H.Pearson Elementary Schools), Linette Sanders (First Coast High School)
South Florida Region REEL Award Recipients
Mia Esposito (Lenora B. Smith Elementary), Deanna Rodriguez (Henry Filer Middle School), Ruth Henry (BridgePrep Academy of Doral Middle High), Keith Astuto (TERRA Environmental Research Institute), Ann Marti (Lenora B. Smith Elementary), Maurice Soriano (North Miami Senior High), Guillermo Cancio (Southwest Miami Senior High School), Edgar Menendez (Southwest Miami Senior High School), Patricia Nunez-Santiesteban (Auburndale Elementary), Yusimi Perez (Westland Hialeah Senior High), Leonardo Valmana (Highland Oaks Middle School)
Tampa Bay Region REEL Award Recipients
Allen Gowan-Smith (Pepin Academies), Olena Spridgeon (Gaither High School), Laura Von Staden (Williams Middle School), Kenneth Gilreath (Gaither High School), Adam Klopper (Cypress Creek Elementary), Michkayla Dandreano (Forrest Hills Elementary), Joelle Kostecki (Oak Park Elementary), Jamie Acree (Burnett Middle School), Samuel Brown (Franklin Middle), Dr. Anedra Johnson (Dickerson Elementary), Benjamin Donetelli (Woodson Leadership), Jennifer Giannone (Newsome High School)
As a part of the REEL Award recipients, FCEE recognized exceptional leadership and achievement in economic and financial education through 2 distinct awards, the Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year Award presented to Emily Raska of Marjory Stonemason Douglas High School in Parkland, FL and the Program Advisor of the Year Award presented to Julie Branch of Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, FL.
Through programs like the REEL Awards, FCEE continues its mission of preparing Floridians for personal and financial success by supporting the educators who inspire and equip the next generation.
For more information about the Florida Council on Economic Education and its programs, visit www.fcee.org.