2025 Teacher of the Year awards announced

Kenzie James  reporter3.riverbendnews @gmail.com  Three local elementary school teachers were announced this summer as the 2025 District Teachers of the Year by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE).  Calena Shawn Clemons of Hamilton County, Sandra Bass of Lafayette County and Theda Roper of Suwannee County were recognized on the FDOE's Facebook page through the summer as the department recognized the chosen teacher in each county.  Clemons, a fifth grade math and science teacher at Hamilton County Elementary School (HCES), has been an educator for 27 years. Her career started in Osceola County, where she started teaching when her son was in first grade, wanting to be on a sched