Ormond Observer Celebrates Volusia County School's Teacher of the Year Nominees
The Ormond Observer celebrates the Teacher of the Year nominees in our Ormond Beach based schools.
Who will be Volusia County Schools' 2026 Teacher of the Year? One of five finalists from 70 nominees will be selected and they will represent our schools countywide at in the state Teacher of the Year program.
The VCS Teacher of the Year ceremony is co-hosted by FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools and presented by AdventHealth. The event will be held Sunday, January 11, 2025, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. Those in attendance will be valued partners in education, sponsors, members of our VCS family, and supporters of each of the honorees.
Thank you to the Ormond Observer who spotlighted each of the Ormond Beach based teachers, including a final five finalist! Please click on each school’s link to learn about the wonderful educators we have in Ormond Beach!
VCS FINALIST Tomoka Elementary Kelli Chehaitli
“In my opinion, nothing seemed more meaningful than to teach,” Chehaitli said. “I knew it would give me the chance to pay forward the gift of education that had been given to my own daughters by so many stellar teachers right here in our Volusia County public schools. I wanted to be part of that.”
Ormond Beach Elementary Lauren Huhta
“What keeps me motivated is seeing my previous students come back to visit, especially for the ‘senior walk’ with their caps and gowns. I know my students have had to work extra hard and it truly makes my heart happy seeing their perseverance develop into success.” -Lauren Huhta
Ormond Beach Middle Ashley Martin
“I always strive to instill a growth mindset in my students,” Martin said. “There are so many opportunities for them to try in the classroom and receive feedback on their efforts. If they need improvement, their attempt provides a teachable moment to help them be successful on the next try.” -Ashley Martin
Seabreeze High School Kimberly Griffith
“Now, when my students have that ‘lightbulb’ moment of remembering an ASL term or they share an experience they had practicing ASL with a deaf or hard-of-hearing person at work or outside of school, I am able to see the results of my hard work,” Griffith said.
Beachside Elementary Deborah Treur
“Parents influence their children, and I hope I have done the same for my own children and the students I am blessed to come into contact with every year.” -Deborah Truer
Pine Trail Elementary Sandra Gilbert
Teaching is about learning as an educator as much as it is about the learning of students. - Sandra Gilbert
Pathways Elementary Ann Busse
“There are going to be some areas you need extra help in and other areas you are going to be able to help others in. I always tell the students to come to groups with a good attitude and be ready to learn and have fun.”
Hinson Middle School David Bell
“Don’t ever let someone else decide what you are good at or not good at,” Bell said. “Every student is talented and gifted at something, you just have to find that passion and never stop believing that you are good enough.”-David Bell