Stefanie Gall, a two-time graduate of FSU Anne’s College, has been recognized with the Educator of a Lifetime Award by the Bay District School System, the highest honor bestowed by the district.
Stefanie Gall, a two-time graduate of FSU Anne’s College, has been recognized with the Educator of a Lifetime Award by the Bay District School System, the highest honor bestowed by the district. The award celebrates her lifelong dedication to education and the profound impact she has made on Bay County students, educators, and the community.
The award was presented to Gall in a special ceremony by Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen, honoring her extraordinary 45-year career in education.
Originally from Bonifay, Florida, Gall was inspired to pursue a career in education by her mother, an educator, and her father, a career military officer. She earned her master’s in counseling psychology (1970) and a doctorate in elementary education (1973) from FSU.
Gall retired from Bay District Schools in 2010 after most recently serving 13 years as principal of the Oakland Terrance School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Under her direction, the school moved from being a “D” school to an “A” school.
Throughout her 45-year career with the district, Gall served in numerous leadership roles, including Superintendent of Schools, Director of Children’s Programs for the Northwest Florida Mental Health Center, Supervisor of Early Childhood, and principal of multiple schools, including Millville and Oakland Terrace for the Arts Elementary Schools. She was instrumental in designing Bay District’s Second Chance School, an initiative providing alternative education for at-risk students.
In addition to her work in K-12 education, Gall taught reading and language arts, early childhood education, psychology, and educational leadership at Florida State University and served as a visiting clinical professor.
In recognition of her enduring contributions, the Dr. Stefanie Gall Center for the Arts was named in her honor. She was placed into the Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida Business Hall of Fame, and she is a member of Impact 100 Gulf Coast.
Gall continues to shape the future of education as a member of the Dean’s Circle at Anne’s College. She was also a recipient of the college's 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award. She is photographed above at the ceremony with Assistant Dean for Development Kevin Derryberry.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Gall is a world traveler and active community volunteer, recently serving as president of the Panama City Music Association, and currently serving as President of the Kiwanis Club in Panama City. She and her husband, Daniel—a fellow FSU alumnus—have been married for 50 years and have three children and nine grandchildren.
Gall’s recognition as the Educator of a Lifetime is a fitting tribute to her remarkable career and lasting influence. Her legacy exemplifies the power of lifelong dedication to education, mentorship, and innovation, inspiring future generations of educators to make a difference in their communities.
