FREE-NEFEC Newsletter for July 2025

Foundation for Rural Education Excellence

Supporting Academic Achievement in

Rural Northeast Florida Communities

July 2025 Newsletter

The Foundation for Rural Education Excellence, a registered 501 (C)(3) organization, was founded in 1998 to facilitate philanthropic support for rural school districts of the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC): Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, Suwannee, and Union Counties as well as Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and PK Yonge Developmental Research School. Working collaboratively, our mission is to enhance academic success and career opportunities for rural students in northeast Florida.

Visit our website

Florida's 2026 Teacher of the Year

Mark Harrison - Union County

A huge congratulations to Mark Harrison from the Union County School District on being named the Florida Department of Education’s 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year. We couldn’t be more thrilled to watch Mark represent small and rural school districts across Florida over the next year.

We’re also incredibly proud that NEFEC was represented by three of the five state finalists this year — including Shelly Teel from Columbia County Schools and Brandy Nicole Anderson from Flagler County Schools. This recognition highlights the dedication and impact happening in our NEFEC school districts.

Lafayette Principal Makes CTE Hall of Fame

Lafayette High School Principal Stewart Hancock was inducted into the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education (FACTE) Hall of Fame July 23rd.

The Hall of Fame award recognizes an outstanding and distinguished professional who has made long-term, significant impact on CTE in Florida.

We are extremely proud and very happy for Stewart and the Lafayette County School District.