CoNgrAtulAtioNs
to thE 2025 StEllAr WiNNErs:
Teacher of the Year Cherese Fussner | Geometry Teacher | Winter Park 9th Grade Center
Support Person of the Year Danielle MacKay | Educational Interpreter | Lake Sybelia Elementary
Assistant Principal of the Year Tayler Boyer | Assistant Principal | Colonial High
Principal of the Year Myrlene Jackson-Kimble | Principal Washington Shores Elementary / Tangelo Park Elementary
District Administrator of the Year Jessie Outing | Assistant Director Employment Services, Human Resources Division
Orange County School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs, Superintendent Dr. Maria F Vazquez., SPOY Danielle MacKay, APOY Tayler Boyer, TOY Cherese Fussner, POY Myrlene Jackson-Kimble, DAOY Jessie Outing, MC Nancy Alvarez
More than 500 teachers, support staff, assistant principals, principals and district administrators were the stars of the show at the 2025 Stellar Awards.
Held January 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek, the dinner gala was an opportunity for Orange County Public Schools to elevate excellence. Each honoree, drawn from nearly 250 schools and departments, stood apart as an example to others for the ways they contribute to the team and put students first.
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Each honoree received a star-shaped trophy with their name, school and the honor received: Teacher of the Year, Support Person of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, Principal of the Year or District Administrator of the Year.
The event was made possible in part by local and regional sponsors, including Aurora Sponsors Addition Financial and Cigna Healthcare.
The night kicked off with honorees and their supervisors, guests and colleagues mingling and taking photos at selfie stations. After guests were seated, an enthusiastic procession of honorees was led through the ballroom by the Evans High School Winter Guard to cheers and applause.
Superintendent Dr. Maria F. Vazquez and School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs told the honorees how much their dedication means to them personally, and to all 207,484 OCPS students.
Unique this year was the inclusion of Stellar finalists from 2020-21, when in-person ceremonies were replaced with an online version.
Registered Nurse Jennifer Bhullar, a finalist during that school year, said that attending Stellar in person this year was a special honor. “It warmed Nurse Jen’s heart all these years later,” she said.
Attendees enjoyed a meal before being honored with their awards. Videos, by category, highlighted each of the 19 finalists before winners were announced.
“It is a privilege to do what I love every day,” Fussner said in her acceptance speech. Jackson-Kimble credited her team for her success, calling them “an extension of my family,” and said she sees her role as “the pinnacle of service.”
Winners will represent OCPS in state-level competitions for 2026. They will also be honored at a school board meeting, appear on Mondays with Maria and be tapped for additional leadership opportunities over the next year.
HoNorEEs ANd FiNAlists
To see a full list of the 2025 Stellar honorees and finalists, visit stellarawards.ocps.net Stellar videos can be viewed on YouTube at https://orangepeal.pub/3EfRIAM.
In 1937, we were founded by teachers. Since then, we haven’t forgotten our roots in education. We’re committed to getting students on stage with a diploma in-hand.
6 college scholarships to graduating high school seniors.
$10,000 EACH
2 masters-level scholarships to students pursuing a master’s degree.
$2,500 EACH
The Orange Peal is a publication by OCPS employees and for OCPS employees. It launched in April 1974 as a newsletter for all OCPS employees “from principals to custodians.” With a name encompassing the symbols of the orange and the school bell, the Orange Peal was intended for “the good news of this school system [to be] ‘rung out,’” - in other words, to peal.
Editor: Lauren Roth
Designer: Kimberly Boulnois
Contributors: Frank Weber
