The Hamilton County School District had the honor of welcoming Mark Harrison, Florida’s 2026 State Teacher of the Year, on October 23. Mr. Harrison teaches American Government and Economics at Union County High School and is often referred to as the “Ambassador of Positivity.” During his visit, he toured classrooms, met with teachers, and celebrated the power of connection and relationships in education.
Hamilton County staff greeted Mr. Harrison with a warm welcome that included tiger-themed fun in honor of his home district of Union County. Later in the day, he joined Superintendent Lee Wetherington-Zamora and me on The Teaching and Learning Show alongside Ms. Mandy Dempsey, Hamilton County’s District Teacher of the Year. Together, we talked about the impact of relationships, the importance of community, and the pride that comes from representing small, rural districts across Florida.
That evening, Mr. Harrison served as the keynote speaker at our annual Teacher Lead Network Ceremony, held at The Glass & Canopy in Jennings. His superintendent, Mike Ripplinger, and Mrs. Ripplinger surprised him by attending the event to celebrate this milestone. Mr. Harrison’s message to educators focused on the importance of connection, reminding everyone that “if you build relationships first, everything else will follow.”
Each Teacher Lead Network member, along with Mr. Harrison, received a framed pencil sketch commemorating the event. The evening celebrated teacher leadership across the district and recognized the dedication, hard work, and heart that make our schools special.
The ceremony featured dinner prepared by the Hamilton County High School Culinary Arts Program, led by Ms. Katey Godwin, with tables beautifully decorated by Alli and Menieca Kennedy. Dinner service was provided by the Hamilton County High School FFA, under the direction of Doug and Denise Clayton. The event was hosted by Chris Combass and Alli Kennedy from the district’s Teaching and Learning Department. Music for the evening was provided by Gavin Combass, a Hamilton County High School junior, who played piano during dinner. Photography was provided by Kathy Combass.
Special thanks go to Jill and Sarabeth Adams of The Glass & Canopy for providing such a beautiful venue, to the Florida Department of Education for allowing Mr. Harrison to spend the day inspiring our local teachers, and to our incredible community sponsors which include Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, First Federal Bank, Otus LLC, and the Hamilton County Education Association for helping us celebrate the teachers who make a difference every day.
Superintendent Lee Wetherington-Zamora shared, “Mark’s message reminded us that education is about people first. His positivity and humility reflect what we value most in Hamilton County.” As the evening came to a close, one thing was clear: the heart of Hamilton County is its people. On this special night, surrounded by educators, students, and community partners, that heart shined brighter than ever.
