The Teacher of the Year award recognizes and honors the contributions of outstanding classroom teachers who demonstrate a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities. The district’s Teacher of the Year represents Orange County at the state level to compete for Florida Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year!
Cherese Fussner
Geometry, Winter Park High Ninth-Grade Center
A passionate teacher leader with 16 years of experience, Cherese Fussner inspires students to discover a love for math. Her innovative and engaging approach to teaching geometry has transformed the way students learn and experience the subject. Through creative lesson plans, hands-on activities, and a genuine enthusiasm for geometry, Fussner creates a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Her dedication and expertise have yielded remarkable results: last year, 86% of her students who began the year below grade level achieved proficiency on the B.E.S.T. Geometry End of Course Assessment. Fussner's significant contributions have played a key role in Winter Park High's impressive 97% pass rate on the Geometry EOC over the past two years.