Commissioner Henry Mack kicks off the 2026-27 school year with statewide visits spanning early learning, schools and career programs

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack spent the opening weeks of the 2026-27 school year traveling across the state, meeting with educators, students, parents and education leaders as he visited programs serving Floridians from early childhood through career preparation.

Over the first two weeks of the new school year, Mack visited early learning providers, K-12 schools, Florida College System institutions and workforce education partners. The visits gave him an opportunity to see how different parts of the state’s education system are preparing students for the year ahead and for the next stages of their lives.

The tour covered a wide range of education settings. Mack met with school district leaders and staff as students returned to classrooms, visited colleges focused on workforce preparation and stopped at an office serving Floridians with disabilities who are preparing to enter the workforce.

The Florida Department of Education said the visits were intended to reaffirm its commitment to making sure students have the support and opportunities needed to succeed. The commissioner also used the visits to thank educators, school employees and parents for the work involved in preparing for another school year.

“Across our early learning providers, K-12 schools, colleges, and workforce programs, Florida educators are equipping students for meaningful careers, lifelong learning, and the responsibilities of democratic citizenship. One of the greatest privileges of serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Education is visiting our schools and colleges to hear directly from the educators, administrators, faculty, parents, and students who make Florida’s education system the best in the nation,” said Commissioner Henry Mack. “The past two weeks, I saw firsthand the commitment to excellence that defines communities across our state. I look forward to building on that momentum as we continue working together to ensure the next generation is prepared to lead with knowledge, character, and an understanding of the enduring principles that have shaped our great civilization.”

Mack’s visits began at the local level, where schools were preparing for the return of students. He traveled to several school districts, including the School District of DeSoto County, Hillsborough County Public Schools, the School District of Lee County, the School District of Osceola County and Orange County Public Schools.

He also visited Florida State University Schools. During the district visits, the commissioner met with school officials, educators and others involved in supporting students as classrooms reopened for the new academic year.

For local education leaders, the visits offered a chance to discuss the challenges and priorities facing their schools directly with the state’s education commissioner.

Read also: Florida Lottery urges students to apply for Bright Futures before August 31 deadline

“Starting a new school year is always an exciting time, and it is especially meaningful when our state’s leaders take the time to listen directly to students and educators. Commissioner Mack’s visit underscores the importance of working together to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education, strong support systems, and meaningful opportunities to achieve their goals,” said Dr. Christopher Small, Executive Director of Florida State University Schools.

The School District of Osceola County was another stop on Mack’s tour. Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff said the visit provided an opportunity to highlight the daily work taking place across the district.

“Having Commissioner Mack visit our schools and engage directly with our educators and students was a meaningful opportunity to showcase the work happening every day to help our students succeed,” said Dr. Mark Shanoff, Superintendent of the School District of Osceola County. “When state and local education leaders work together, we can strengthen the support we provide to students and educators and ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Mack also visited Orange County Public Schools on the first day of the school year. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez said the district was pleased to have the commissioner meet members of its school community.

“Orange County Public Schools was proud to welcome Commissioner Mack on the first day of school,” said Dr. Maria Vazquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools. “Our students and educators are at the heart of everything we do, and having the opportunity to share their experiences, accomplishments, and aspirations with Commissioner Mack was a meaningful way to highlight the strength of our school community.”

The commissioner’s tour extended beyond traditional K-12 education. He visited South Florida State College, Valencia College and Lake-Sumter State College to focus on workforce education and the connection between classroom learning and employment.

Read also: Fort Lauderdale to begin major Riverland Road traffic calming improvements to make the busy corridor safer

At Lake-Sumter State College, President Temple said the institution was able to show Mack how faculty and staff are preparing students for jobs in fields where demand is high.

“Lake-Sumter State College was honored to welcome Commissioner Henry Mack and share with him the outstanding work taking place across our campuses to prepare students for career success,” said President Temple of Lake-Sumter State College. “His visit gave us the opportunity to highlight the great work of our faculty and staff in support of our students. Our team remains focused on ensuring students have the knowledge, skills, and training they need to succeed in high-demand, high-wage careers.”

Valencia College also used the visit to highlight its approach to workforce preparation. President Kathleen Plinske said colleges, students and employers are increasingly working together to connect education with the needs of the labor market.

“Workforce education is at the heart of our mission to ensure students have a clear pathway from education to opportunity,” said President Kathleen Plinske of Valencia College. “We appreciated the opportunity to welcome Commissioner Mack and demonstrate how our faculty, students, and industry partners are working together to prepare Floridians for high-demand careers. His visit reinforced the importance of aligning education with the needs of our communities and employers and ensuring students have access to the hands-on training, credentials, and support they need to build successful careers and strengthen Florida’s workforce.”

The tour also included attention to students and adults with disabilities. Mack visited the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Area 3 Office, where he learned more about efforts to help Floridians with disabilities prepare for jobs, enter the workforce and succeed in competitive employment.

Sharon Wright, director of the Area 3 Vocational Rehabilitation Office, said the visit highlighted the importance of providing people with disabilities with the tools and support needed to pursue greater independence.

“Commissioner Mack’s visit to the Area 3 Vocational Rehabilitation office underscored the importance of ensuring Floridians with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to pursue careers, achieve independence, and contribute to their communities,” said Sharon Wright, Director of Area 3 Vocational Rehabilitation Office. “His focus on competitive integrated employment reflects a shared commitment to connecting individuals with the training, support, and employer partnerships they need to succeed in the workplace.”

Early childhood education was another important part of the commissioner’s statewide tour. Mack met with the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County to discuss the role early learning plays in preparing young children for kindergarten and the years that follow.

The coalition’s CEO, Lesha Buchbinder, said early education provides a foundation that can influence a child’s later success in school.

“Early learning lays the foundation for a child’s success, and we appreciate Commissioner Mack taking the time to see firsthand the important work happening in our community,” said Lesha Buchbinder, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County. “We are grateful for his commitment to ensuring Florida’s youngest learners have access to high-quality early learning opportunities that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.”

Taken together, the visits showed the wide range of programs involved in Florida’s education system. From early learning centers and elementary and secondary schools to colleges, career programs and vocational rehabilitation services, each stop focused on a different stage of a student’s or worker’s path.

The state education department said Mack’s meetings were also aimed at strengthening communication between state officials and the people working directly with students. Rather than limiting the tour to one type of institution, the commissioner visited providers across the education and workforce system.

The timing of the tour was significant as schools and colleges began a new academic year. Educators were welcoming students back, families were adjusting to new schedules and institutions were setting priorities for the months ahead.

For Mack, the visits provided an opportunity to hear directly from those communities while emphasizing the department’s broader goals for education, career readiness and student support.

The commissioner is expected to continue working with school districts, colleges, early learning providers and workforce partners as the 2026-27 school year progresses. The statewide tour opened the year with a message centered on cooperation across different parts of Florida’s education system and on preparing students for education, employment and life beyond the classroom.