Bree O’Donnell inspires students through discovery, mentors fellow educators and now stands among Florida’s top five teachers.
By Lori Leath Miller
Every once in a while, a story comes along that’s really bigger than the headline. This is one of those stories.
Yes, Walton County educator Bree O’Donnell has been named one of five finalists for Florida’s 2027 Teacher of the Year—an exceptional accomplishment all on its own. Chosen from more than 180,000 public school teachers and 74 District Teachers of the Year across Florida, O’Donnell now stands among the state’s top five educators.
But what struck me most wasn’t the award. It’s what the award represents. As someone who spends a great deal of time highlighting the people, businesses and organizations that make a difference in our area communities, I find myself asking a simple question: What is Walton County doing right?
The answer, I believe, can be found in educators such as Bree O’Donnell. A fourth-grade math and science teacher at Dune Lakes Elementary School, O’Donnell is well-known for creating classrooms where students don’t simply sit and listen. They move. They explore. They experiment. They inquire. They learn by doing.
Her students have tracked data with sidewalk chalk, tested gravity through hands-on experiments and participated in interactive scavenger hunts that transform learning into discovery. Instead of relying solely on textbooks, she creates opportunities for students to experience concepts firsthand. That’s not only the kind of teaching that sparks curiosity, but also the kind that students remember.
What I love most about Bree’s story is that her success isn’t built around awards or titles. It’s built around helping students see learning as something exciting rather than something they have to do. She creates opportunities for children to be curious, engaged and confident in their abilities—qualities that often last far beyond a single school year.
What makes O’Donnell’s recognition even more impressive is that her impact extends far beyond her own classroom. She recently helped develop Walton County’s districtwide fourth-grade science and mathematics pacing guides, helping ensure consistency and excellence for students across the county. She also leads her Professional Learning Community, where teachers collaborate, analyze student data and share best practices. Under her leadership, that team has been recognized as a model for the entire district. In other words, she’s not just helping students succeed—she’s helping teachers succeed, too.
Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas praised O’Donnell for demonstrating “an unwavering commitment to student achievement and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.”
Walton County Superintendent Russell Hughes, also Florida’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year, described her as an educator who motivates students, uplifts colleagues and plays a vital role in her school community.
Those are impressive words; but perhaps the greatest measure of a teacher isn’t found in awards, accolades or rankings. It’s found years later when a former student remembers a lesson and gains confidence, because someone believed in them, or chooses a path because a teacher helped them discover what was possible or where their hidden talent lies. That’s the true ripple effect of great teaching.
One proud parent shared that their child advanced three levels in math under O’Donnell’s instruction at Dune Lakes Elementary, describing her as the kind of teacher who helps students believe in themselves while achieving remarkable academic growth.
While O’Donnell’s recognition places her among Florida’s elite educators, it also shines a spotlight on the quality of education taking place throughout Walton County. And perhaps that’s what makes this story so special.
Yes, it is about one exceptional teacher. But it is also about the students she inspires, the colleagues she mentors and the community that supports educational excellence. It is about a school district that has now produced two Florida Teacher of the Year finalists in the past three years. In 2025, Paxton School science and aerospace teacher Heather Stewart was named one of Florida’s Teacher of the Year finalists. Now, in 2027, Dune Lakes Elementary’s Bree O’Donnell has earned the same distinction.
They say lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place. Walton County just proved otherwise. At first glance, some might call it coincidence. But at some point, success like this stops looking like coincidence and starts looking like culture.
Two Florida Teacher of the Year finalists in three years. A superintendent who was named Florida’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year. Exceptional educators, engaged school leaders and a community that values education. Together, they tell the story of a district committed to helping students succeed.
This year, O’Donnell stands as the only educator from Florida’s Panhandle among the five statewide finalists. That’s a remarkable achievement for her, for Dune Lakes Elementary and for Walton County.
Behind every successful student is a teacher who cared enough to make a difference. And behind every great teacher is a community that values the work they do. Congratulations, Bree O’Donnell. Thank you for representing Walton County so well and for reminding us that some of the most important work happening in our community takes place every day inside a classroom.
