Osceola County agriculture teacher named among top five finalists for 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year award

Tallahassee, Florida – An educator from Osceola County has earned statewide recognition after being selected as one of the finalists for the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year award, placing her among the top educators in Florida’s public school system.

The Florida Department of Education announced Monday that Kyndall Brown, an agriculture teacher at Harmony Middle School, was chosen as one of five finalists for the prestigious honor. The finalists emerged from a field of 74 district teachers of the year representing school systems across the state.

The overall winner of the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year program is expected to be revealed in July.

Brown’s selection shines a spotlight not only on her classroom work, but also on the growing role of agricultural education in preparing students for practical careers and real-world experiences. School leaders say her influence extends well beyond textbooks and traditional instruction.

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“Kyndall Brown represents the best of Florida’s educators, making a lasting impact through her dedication to students and her contributions to school success,” said Anastasios Kamoutsas, Florida’s commissioner of education. “Congratulations, Kyndall, on the well-earned distinction of being named a state teacher of the year finalist. This recognition is a testament to the meaningful difference you make each day.”

At Harmony Middle School, Brown has built a program centered on hands-on learning and student engagement. According to state education officials, she developed and introduced a standards-based agriscience curriculum for students in grades six through eight, reaching more than 200 students annually.

Her lessons connect classroom instruction with practical agricultural concepts, helping students better understand food systems, farming, animal sciences, and environmental stewardship through direct experience rather than theory alone.

Brown has also worked to create opportunities outside the classroom. One of her most notable initiatives was the founding of the school’s Fishing Club, which brings together students from different grade levels through outdoor activities and collaborative learning experiences.

District officials say the club has become more than an extracurricular activity. It has helped students build friendships, confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger connection to nature and conservation.

Beyond school grounds, Brown has developed partnerships with local farms and agricultural organizations throughout the region. Those collaborations have given students access to authentic field experiences and introduced many of them to possible future career paths in agriculture and related industries.

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Mark Shanoff, superintendent of the School District of Osceola County, praised Brown’s commitment to innovation and community involvement.

“Kyndall Brown exemplifies the highest standards of teaching excellence, innovation and community engagement,” said Dr. Mark Shanoff, Superintendent, School District of Osceola County. “Her dedication to agricultural education has transformed learning experiences for students and strengthened the vital connections between our schools and the local community. Her commitment to inspiring future leaders and preserving the agricultural heritage of Osceola County makes her an outstanding representative of our district and the teaching profession.”

Brown’s educational background reflects her deep connection to the agricultural field. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences from Mississippi State University and later completed a Master of Business degree through Louisiana State University Shreveport.
The Florida Teacher of the Year program is considered one of the state’s highest recognitions for educators. State officials noted that this year’s finalists were selected from a pool of more than 170,000 public school teachers statewide.

The selection process begins with individual districts and eligible charter school groups naming their own teachers of the year. From there, a statewide committee made up of teachers, principals, parents, and members of the business community reviews each nominee.

Candidates are evaluated on several factors, including teaching ability, communication skills, professional development, leadership, and contributions to both schools and local communities.

Whoever is ultimately selected as the 2027 Florida Teacher of the Year will spend the following year serving as Florida’s Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. In that role, the winner represents educators across the state while working alongside the Department of Education on public engagement and educational initiatives.

For Brown, the finalist recognition already places her among the state’s most respected educators — and highlights the growing importance of career-focused learning opportunities inside Florida classrooms.