PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Education Foundation of Martin County announced its Teacher of the Year winners during its high-energy celebration on November 14 at the MidFlorida Credit Union Event Center. Chanda Leon of Martin County High School took top honors and was named the 2025-2026 Martin County Teacher of the Year. She will now represent Martin County in the Florida Department of Education's statewide Teacher of the Year competition.
Before being named the overall winner, Leon was announced as the high school category winner, sponsored by Keiser University. Cassie Mailhot of Stuart Middle School was recognized as the middle school category winner, sponsored by the Education Foundation of Martin County, and Alexis Gray of Palm City Elementary won the elementary school category, sponsored by Cigna Healthcare.
Devin Carlson, managing partner of Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart, the event’s lead sponsor, presented Leon with the award.
Leon, the top winner, originally planned to become a medical doctor. But after earning her biology degree and studying for the MCAT, she needed a job. When she heard about a substitute teacher shortage offering triple pay, she applied and was placed in a third-grade classroom. That experience changed everything and led to her 27-year teaching career, in which she has taught students with academic struggles, language barriers, and
personal hardships.
“My mission has always been to help them see they are capable of more than they think,” said Leon. “That’s what inspired me to become an educator; the chance to build confidence and resilience in others.”
Laura Matheson, one of Leon’s students from a decade ago, recently said, “Mrs. Leon’s dedication to promoting student achievement and success was observed well beyond the boundaries of her classroom … She invested in my success outside of honors biology by cheering me on at volleyball games and OPUS concerts, and invested in others by sharing what other school and community events our peers would be participating in … Within the classroom, Mrs. Leon was intentional in providing a learning environment that nurtured the social development of positive, mindful young adults. At the end of each period, we’d proclaim, ‘I will do my best. I know I can. I am a WINNER!’”
Middle school winner Mailhot stated that her upbringing, which was marked by addiction and instability in her home, inspired her to become a teacher. In her darkest moments, there were teachers who helped her to hold on when she felt she couldn’t. To this day, she still turns to her high school civics teacher and cheer coach for advice.
“Teaching isn’t just about lessons — it’s about seeing the child behind the grade,” said Mailhot. “Ms. Clark did that for me. And now, I’m proud to do the same for others.”
Her principal, Dr. Christopher Jones, said she is an exceptional educator, a natural leader, and an advocate for student success.
“As an expert civics teacher, Cassie brings both depth of knowledge and a passion for democratic education into every lesson,” he added. “Her instructional practices are impeccable … Cassie’s classroom environment is warm, welcoming, and highly engaging, creating a space where students feel safe to take risks and even the most skeptical student is excited to learn.”
Elementary school winner Alexis Gray was just 23 years old when she learned that she had cancer and was told her life expectancy was five years or less. So instead of pursuing a career in business or advertising, as she had planned, her diagnosis made her realize just how fragile and unpredictable life could be.
“But I was also given a gift, a chance to truly think about the kind of life I wanted to live — one with purpose, meaning, and happiness,” she said. “I knew I wanted to make a difference and spend time doing something that mattered. During recovery, I spent time reflecting on what I loved — children, learning, school, and the inspiring stories from my family of educators. The obvious answer was clear. I was meant to teach.”
For the past 18 years, teaching has been her passion. Lauren Rabener, her principal, said, “Mrs. Gray is a consistently highly effective teacher who brings compassion and innovation to everything she does. Her classroom is a place where students are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential … Throughout her career, Mrs. Gray has produced exceptionally high levels of student achievement, driven by her deep understanding of data-informed instruction, her strong classroom management, and her ability to build meaningful relationships with students and families.”
A total of 24 educators from across the district were nominated for this year’s Teacher of the Year program. Nominees are selected by their peers at each school and complete a comprehensive portfolio and take part in a rigorous interview process. The community also plays a role by voting online for their favorite nominee, adding an extra layer of excitement and support for the educators. The winner is revealed each year at the Education Foundation’s Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration, an upbeat, spirited event unlike any traditional ceremony. The evening is marked by cheering, dancing, dramatic entrances, and school teams decked out in themed outfits, all contributing to an atmosphere that feels more like a community pep rally than a formal program. This year, Felix A. Williams Elementary School earned the event’s coveted Spirit Award, sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities, for its exceptional enthusiasm, theme and props.
In addition to Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart, & Alfa Romeo Stuart as the presenting sponsor, other top sponsors included HCA Florida Healthcare, Robert J. Weissman, Martin County Administrative & Supervisory Association, Proctor Construction Company, Treasure Coast Urgent Care, The Gehring Group - A Risk Strategies Company, Coral Shores Behavioral Health, Cook Shell Contractors, TD Bank, Conchy Joe’s Restaurants, Centegix, Hedrick Brothers Construction, Briana Lawson Foundation, Florida Power & Light Company, FoodShop, Harvard Jolly PBK, and Seacoast Bank.
MCTOY 2025_01.jpg - Devin Carlson, managing partner of Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart & Alfa Romeo Stuart, the event’s lead sponsor; Martin County High School Principal Lori Vogel; Overall and High School Teacher of the Year Chanda Leon; and Martin County Schools Superintendent Michael Maine (Photo by Paul Careccia)
MCTOY 2025_02.jpg - Erica Johnson, community relations coordinator of Keiser University, sponsor; High School winner Chanda Leon; and Martin County Schools Superintendent Michael Maine (Photo by Paul Careccia)
MCTOY 2025_03.jpg - Dr. Jennifer DiTrapani-Gimbal, president of the Education Foundation of Martin County; Middle School winner Cassie Mailhot; and Martin County Schools Superintendent Michael Maine (Photo by Paul Careccia)
MCTOY 2025_04.jpg - Cigna Healthcare Senior Client Manager Dina D'Angelo, sponsor; Elementary School winner Lexi Gray; and Martin County Schools Superintendent Michael Maine (Photo by Paul Careccia)
MCTOY 2025_05.jpg - Publix Store Manager Dipal Smith presented the Spirit Award trophy to Felix A. Williams Elementary Principal Sara Tuthill. Publix Super Markets Charities sponsored the Spirit Award. (Photo by Paul Careccia)
MCTOY 2025_06.jpg - Shawn Hawk, Lorraine Sturgeon, Dipal Smith, Krystal Goss, John Farinacci, Mike Lange; and Creggy Jean Bart of Publix Super Markets (Photo by Doreen Poreba
MCTOY 2025_07.jpg - Ermelinda Carvalho, Dr. Louis Velazquez, Joseph & Stacy Annone of Treasure Coast Urgent Care and Treasure Coast Psychiatry (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
MCTOY 2025_08.jpg - Tammy Crouse, Susan Jaworski, Amber Shirk and Education Foundation of Martin County Board Member Patty McAuley of Seacoast Bank (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
MCTOY 2025_09.jpg - Susie Fote, Brandi Sesta, Jessica Urbay, Coral Kelly, Michelle Rolon and Walnide Fabre of Felix A. Williams Elementary (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
MCTOY 2025_10.jpg - Yeseniah Brancaccio, The Hope Center for Autism’s Teacher of the Year nominee, is all smiles as she celebrates with some of her colleagues. (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
MCTOY 2025_11.jpg - Crystal Lake Elementary Teacher of the Year, Trevor Lawson (pictured at center with suit and tie), poses for a photo with his family and colleagues at the Teacher of the Year celebration. (Photo by Paul Careccia)
