In a momentous announcement, Citrus County Schools proudly recognized Autumn Crabtree, an exceptional culinary arts teacher at Crystal River High School, as the deserving "Teacher of the Year" for 2026. Further, we applauded Jamil Namey, a highly regarded paraprofessional at Homosassa Elementary School for being named the outstanding "School-Related Employee of the Year" for 2025.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert revealed the winners at the Galaxy of Stars event, hosted by the Citrus County Education Foundation at the College of Central Florida on Monday, December 2nd. The recipients, chosen from a group of finalists, were acknowledged along with others during the ceremony.
Mrs. Crabtree, culinary instructor and head of the Vocational Department at Crystal River High, creates hands-on learning experiences, including an EPCOT culinary tour for certification-earning students. She organizes major events like the Blue and Gold Gala, a College and Career Fair, and an alumni seafood boil, while also sponsoring the First Priority Club. School Board member, Thomas Kennedy, praises her for providing students with exemplary, resume-worthy experiences and enhancing career opportunities through local industry partner collaboration.
Mr. Namey embodies excellence and dedication. His flexibility and commitment make him an invaluable asset at Homosassa Elementary. As a paraprofessional, he consistently exceeds expectations, whether supporting school performances, attending every school-related event, or chaperoning the Safety Patrol field trip to Washington, D.C. Assistant Principal Jaime Baize, along with the entire staff, deeply values his patience, guidance, and mentorship, which positively impact both students and colleagues.
In total, 50 teachers and school-related employees from 27 schools and district service departments were recognized individually during the ceremony for their dedication and exceptional contributions to our school district. Assistant Superintendent, Jennifer Greco, and Director of Special Programs, Darrick Buettner, emceed throughout the evening reading accolades of all recipients and interjecting fun jokes.
Denise Langdon, our 2025 Citrus County Teacher of the Year, delivered a heartfelt speech about the profound impact of teaching, sharing her passion for shaping minds and enriching lives through her work in the classroom.
Jaime Suarez, Florida’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, was the keynote speaker of the night echoing Langdon’s theme and recounting her own journey of growth in the classroom as a math teacher in Hernando County. She concluded her presentation with an inspiring message: “When a teacher helps students believe in their own potential, they ignite the determination to succeed. That’s the true power of a teacher. We are privileged to have the best job in the world.”
We would like to thank the Citrus County Education Foundation for its continuous support of this event and awarding each winner $500. It’s because of the foundation and its giving sponsors that this event is fully funded at no cost to the district.
A special thank you to Jenkins Auto Group, who awarded our Teacher of the Year, Autumn Crabtree with a Nissan Altima. They also matched the Education Foundations prize to Jamil Namey, School-Related Employee of the Year with an additional $500. Mr. Namey also received a 7-night resort stay in Kissimmee. Each winner will also receive a check from the State of Florida. That amount has yet to be determined.
Taking a moment to highlight outstanding contributors, Citrus Education Foundation Executive Director Shaunda Burdette expressed gratitude towards two remarkable community figures. Fire Chief Craig Stevens received well-deserved recognition for his tireless dedication to the school district and foundation, consistently stepping up in any situation. Property Appraiser Cregg Dalton was also honored for his unwavering commitment to our students and spearheading new programs within the education foundation. Mrs. Burdette presented both honorees with plaques recognizing their ongoing leadership in Citrus County.
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