Krista Marie Stanley, the 2021 Florida Teacher of the Year, was chosen from more than 176,900 Florida public school teachers and represents Florida’s 74 school districts as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. As the Teacher of the Year, Stanley will create a greater public awareness of Florida’s outstanding teachers and elevate the teaching profession. She will have the opportunity to provide professional learning opportunities and inspire current and future teachers across the state. Stanley graduated from Florida State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in business management. After graduating, Stanley, a product of Okeechobee County Schools, returned to the district to serve as a sixth-grade math teacher at Yearling Middle School in Okeechobee, Florida. Over the past four years, Stanley has developed her teaching practice and become a leader at her school and within the district. She is a coach for her colleagues, a mentor for new teachers, a team leader for the other sixth-grade teachers and a district math representative. In addition, Stanley supports her colleagues through curriculum development, textbook adoption, and professional development. Using a standards-based approach, Stanley has a passion for not only supporting other teachers, but also choosing the most effective instructional practices to ensure that all her students receive a high-quality education. She works diligently to instill a love of learning in her students by connecting learned skills to the real world. Stanley advocates for an individualized instructional model that best meets the needs of all students, regardless of their background and ability.