Anne's College honored outstanding educators, school leaders, and partners during the 2026 ElevatED Torch Awards held on Tuesday, May 5. The annual event welcomed cooperating teachers, administrators, district representatives, faculty, staff, and guests for an evening celebrating the mentorship and collaboration that help prepare the next generation of educators.
The Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences honored outstanding educators, school leaders, and partners during the 2026 ElevatED Torch Awards held Tuesday, May 5, at the FSU Alumni Center.
The annual event welcomed cooperating teachers, administrators, district representatives, faculty, staff, and guests for an evening celebrating the mentorship and collaboration that helps prepare the next generation of educators. Held each spring, the ElevatED Torch Awards recognize the critical role that school partners play in supporting Florida State University students throughout their field experiences and internships.
In his opening remarks, Dean Damon Andrew reflected on the significance of the evening and the collective impact of the educators in attendance.
“While we will formally recognize a few individuals this evening, we truly view every one of you as deserving of recognition,” Andrew said. “Your willingness to guide, support, and challenge our students is what makes their growth possible.”
This year’s ceremony also coincided with National Teacher Appreciation Day, making the celebration especially fitting for the educators and mentors gathered in the room.
Presented by Kevin Forehand, program director for the Educational Leadership and Administration programs at Anne’s College, the Path-Maker Award recognizes school principals who serve as exceptional mentors to FSU educational leadership students.
This year’s recipient was Jason Koerner, principal of Swift Creek Middle School in Leon County.
Koerner was recognized for his intentional mentorship and commitment to preparing future school leaders through hands-on experience and meaningful guidance. His nominator described him as a principal “made for mentoring future leaders,” and praised his ability to create opportunities for aspiring administrators to grow into leadership roles with confidence.
Forehand noted that Koerner’s approach reflects a strong belief in trust and real-world learning experiences that prepare students for the demands of educational leadership. "There are not enough words to explain how valuable his leadership is to our school, teachers, and future leaders," his nominator wrote.
Amy Thompson, director of the School of Teacher Education, presented the ElevatED Cooperating Teacher Awards, which recognize outstanding cooperating teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
The elementary school award was presented to Sharima Hayes of W.T. Moore Elementary School.
Hayes was recognized for creating a safe and supportive classroom environment where every student feels included and valued. Her nominator praised her ability to build meaningful relationships with students and inspire confidence in even the shyest learners. They also highlighted her engaging teaching style and commitment to mentoring future educators.
Hayes' nominator wrote that she “demonstrates how to create a safe and supportive classroom environment where every student feels included.” They noted that, “One of the many reasons I look up to her as a teacher is that even after 20 years in the classroom, she does not see her students as just numbers, but as individuals who matter. She takes the time to connect with each student personally and works to build their confidence. Students who were once shy in the classroom have found their voices and now have the courage to participate and take on new challenges. Her dedication to her students, commitment to mentoring future educators, and passion for creating a supportive learning environment make her truly deserving of this recognition."
The middle school award was presented to Whitney McCune of Swift Creek Middle School.
McCune was celebrated for fostering a classroom environment where aspiring educators could take meaningful risks, explore new teaching ideas, and grow through reflection and encouragement. In their nomination letter, a student studying secondary science education shared that while they once aspired to be a real-life Ms. Frizzle, they now strive instead to be Ms. McCune, who brings curiosity, energy, and exploration into the classroom.
The nominator wrote that McCune “embodies the definition of the exemplar teacher I have spent the past five years learning about. She is kind, yet stern; forgiving yet disciplined; and she understands exactly when to let students struggle productively and when to step in with guidance.”
The nominator also wrote, “I truly could not have made it through this semester without her. She created a space where I could discover my place in education, take meaningful risks, and reflect on what works and what does not. Every time I wanted to try something new, she never discouraged me; instead, she helped me turn those ideas into reality.”
The high school award was presented to Michael Dross of Lawton Chiles High School, who was unable to attend due to athletic coaching responsibilities.
Dross was recognized for his passion for education and his commitment to helping interns develop a love for the profession. His nominator shared that his "example and guidance are the key reasons my love for the education field has grown. I asked him why he takes interns every year, and he said it is because he loves this field and wants to help others see it the same. Although teaching has its trials and tribulations, his ability to uphold the field’s joy and importance at all times is extremely inspiring. I truly believe this attitude has made an impact on me and will continue to make a significant impact on the education field as time goes on and more interns receive his guidance.”
In remarks shared on his behalf, Dross reflected on his dream of becoming a history teacher since age 12 and the rewarding experience of mentoring future educators from Florida State University.
Dean Andrew returned to the stage to present the Meredith Higgins Partner in Education Award, which honors individuals who exemplify the partnership-building spirit and dedication of the late Meredith Higgins, former director of student teaching at Anne’s College.
"Meredith left a legacy of passion for education and the students she worked with, and the college honors her memory through this award," Andrew said ahead of the award presentation.
This year’s recipient was Paige Gay, assistant principal at Fort Braden School.
Selected by members of the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS), Gay was recognized for her exceptional commitment to supporting teacher candidates and building meaningful partnerships with Anne’s College.
“Our teacher candidates have been afforded a multitude of opportunities to learn and grow at Fort Braden over the years, and we are grateful for this partnership,” the OASIS team wrote in Gay’s award selection materials.
The team also highlighted Gay’s collaborative leadership style, noting that she “cultivates a culture of collaboration, going above and beyond to curate meaningful placements across the grade levels.”
In partnership with Reading Coach Katie Bennett, the team said Gay has embraced a “‘Yes’ mentality” in supporting Anne’s College students and initiatives.
Andrew concluded the evening by thanking the educators, mentors, administrators, and partners in attendance for the time and care they invest in supporting future teachers and school leaders.
“To all of our cooperating teachers, school leaders, and partners, thank you for the time, care, and mentorship you invest in our students each day,” he said. “Your contributions matter in ways that extend far beyond a single award.”