One of three local teacher finalists will be named Alachua County Public Schools’ top teacher at the annual Robert W. Hughes Teacher of the Year celebration this week. That person will go on to represent the district in the Florida Teacher of the Year program.
Elementary School Teacher of the Year Finalist Katie Dawson is a teacher at Meadowbrook Elementary School, where she currently teaches third grade. She’s also been active schoolwide, serving leadership roles in several activities, including Girls on the Run, Safety Patrol and the Special Olympics.
Dawson is a third-generation teacher who says teaching is something she dreamed of all her life.
“I believe school should be a fun and exciting place to learn intellectually, emotionally and socially,” she said. “Every student should be given a fair chance to succeed and learn in a safe and loving environment.”
Middle School Finalist Barbara Brock has been teaching science at High Springs Community School since 2022. During her tenure she has founded a STEM club to extend students’ learning beyond the classroom and has secured more than $17,000 in grant funding to provide additional hands-on science learning for students. In the community, she’s been involved in organizations ranging from Gainesville Audubon Society and the Florida Museum of Natural History to the Guardian Ad Litem program.
Brock says she wants her students to understand the ‘why’ of what they are learning.
“Education should spark curiosity and give students the courage to take intellectual risks, turning mistakes into stepping stones rather than setbacks,” she said. “Science allows tinkering, experimentation and even spectacular failures--all to build resilience and genuine scientific curiosity."
McNickle has been teaching Advanced Placement (AP) and US History at Buchholz High School since 2018. He helped start the AP Capstone program at Buchholz, which is focused on developing students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. He also coaches the boys golf team, sponsors several student clubs and serves on a variety of school committees.
McNickle says he wants students to be excited about learning, to think critically and develop their creativity.
“I think when students are asked to go beyond just understanding a topic and are asked to create something, evaluate an idea, or defend a position, they learn at a deeper level, and I try to allow for as much of that as I can,” he said.
Dawson, Brock, McNickle and 37 other Teacher of the Year nominees from across the district will be recognized at the annual recognition ceremony on Thursday, January 22, which is hosted by The Education Foundation of Alachua County and supported by many local individuals, business and organizations, including primary sponsors Cox, Florida Credit Union and SWI Photographers. The finalists will all speak at the event, which will also feature remarks from local education and business leaders and current students. The name of the 2026 districtwide Teacher of the Year will be announced at the end of the ceremony.