2025 Marion County Teacher of the Year Named

2025 Marion County Teacher of the Year Named
Posted on 02/03/2025
Golden Apple Gala

 

FEBRUARY 3, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations

352.671.7734 w ◊ 352.840.3265 c

[email protected]

 

WEST PORT HIGH’S SARAH JACOBS NAMED MARION COUNTY’S

2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Teachers Honored During Golden Apple Gala

 

MARION COUNTY – West Port High School’s Sarah Jacobs was named Marion County’s 2025 Teacher of the Year at the annual Golden Apple Gala Saturday night in Ocala.

The event, now in its 35th year, was orchestrated by the Public Education Foundation of Marion County and was held inside the Reilly Arts Center.  

Jacobs, who teaches ninth and 10th grade English, is in her 12th year of teaching, the last four with Marion County Public Schools. The award was announced near the end of the Gala, after recognition of all the school-based Teachers of the Year and Rookies of the Year.  

Jacobs now advances to the state-level Florida Teacher of the Year Recognition program coordinated by the Florida Department of Education. Last year’s Marion County Teacher of the Year finished as a top five finalist for that honor.

All seven Marion County Golden Apple teachers were introduced by their students via individual video segments during the gala. In addition to Jacobs, they included:

  • 2025 Rookie Teacher of the Year Courtney Morris, Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary
  • Joel Kunz, Dunnellon Middle
  • Jennifer Aderholt, Eighth Street Elementary
  • Sarah Burfening, Madison Street Academy
  • Joan Edwards, North Marion Middle
  • Kristen Wilson, Stanton-Weirsdale Elementary

MCPS Principal of the Year Sarah Dobbs of East Marion Elementary, Assistant Principal of the Year Constance Carpenter of Lake Weir Middle, and School-Related Employee of the Year Franchesca Jiminez of Liberty Middle were also featured during the 90-minute gala.

Jenkins Auto Group provided Jacobs with keys to a new 2025 Acura Integra along with a free three-year lease. The local car dealer has been the presenting sponsor for the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program for more than a decade. 

The 35th Annual Golden Apple Gala is viewable on the MCPS YouTube Channel.

For additional information, contact Meghan Magamoll, the executive director of the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, at 352.671.4167 or visit www.pefmc.org and www.fldoe.org/teaching/recognition/.

 

 2025 TOY Sarah Jacobs and Superintendent Gullett

2025 Marion County Teacher of the Year Sarah Jacobs of West Port High School and

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Diane Gullett

 

 2025 Teacher of the Year in New Car

2025 Marion County Teacher of the Year Sarah Jacobs of West Port High School gives a

“thumbs up” behind the wheel of her new Acura Integra donated by Jenkins Auto Group.

 

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