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.
2025 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.
CONGRATULATIONS 2025 WINNERS
Broward
Ismael Jacques
Sasha St. Louis
Christian Marquez
Emily Raska
Susan Rosales
Audrey O’Connor Spicer
Kenneth Warren
Furshelia White
Clay
Jessica Streaty
Charles C. Harper Economic Educator of the Year
Dr. Kesha Walton
Sandalwood High School, Duval County
Duval
Alyssa Halliday
Jesus Patrick Isla
Asilia Rogers
Dominique Sanders
Andrea Shaw
Randal Smith
Carol Solomon-Jenkins
Lisa Swan
Ed Wagner
Jill Walker
Shanda Westmoreland
Miami Dade
Maria Corzo
Rosa Chacon De Armas
Mimi Eckert
Shannon Haynes
Ann Pacheco
Angel Schmiedt
Joel Soldinger
Marisol Villanueva
Terence Williams
Tanya Young
Sandy Zamora
Palm Beach
Jillian Boff
Hilda Diaz
Robert Klemm
Arlo Rappaport
Volusia
Laurel Stevenson
Florida Virtual School
Alina Cruz
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: 2025 Winner: Dr. Kesha Walton, Sandalwood High School and Prof. Neil Schreiber, FSCJ)
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: Professor Neil Schreiber from FSCJ & 2024 FCEE Program Advisor of the Year, Janika Brice, Jean Ribault High School, Duval County)
FCEE Program Advisor of the Year
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.
