PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The School District of Palm Beach County, in partnership with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, celebrated its top educators Thursday night during the fifth annual “Celebrate the Great” awards ceremony. Held at the new Center for Public School Excellence and Innovation in Lake Worth Beach, the event honored four outstanding individuals who will represent the district at the state level. Superintendent Michael J. Burke praised the winners and the nearly 23,000 employees of “Team Palm Beach” for maintaining the district’s “A” rating.
Dr. Tameka Robinson of Santaluces Community High School was named the 2026 Principal of the Year. Under her leadership, Santaluces achieved an “A” rating and a 97% graduation rate, driven by a 49-point rise in test scores. Dr. Robinson is credited with expanding student opportunities through the launch of specialized academies in Finance, Construction, and Cybersecurity. Upon receiving the award, she dedicated the honor to her staff’s passion and tireless dedication to student growth.
The 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year title was awarded to Syrenthia Boldin of Pahokee Elementary School. A 25-year veteran of the Glades community, Boldin implemented the STAR Leadership Program to build teacher capacity, which led to the school’s first “A” rating in over 15 years. Her initiatives resulted in a 60% gain in ELA and a nine-point increase in Math proficiency. Boldin expressed her hope that her work serves as a blessing for future generations of students.
LaWanna S. Jackson of Galaxy E3 Elementary School was honored as the 2027 Teacher of the Year. With over two decades at the school, Jackson’s targeted strategies nearly doubled student math proficiency in a single year. As a mentor and AVID Site Coordinator, she achieved learning gains for 80% of her lowest-performing students in Mathematics and Science. Jackson described the award as an “answering of the call of duty” and a beacon of inspiration for her classroom.
Finally, Connie Sterling from Equestrian Trails Elementary School was named the 2026 School-Related Employee of the Year. Sterling has served the district for nearly 30 years and is recognized for managing critical operations, including safety protocols and front-office logistics. Known as the “heart of the campus,” she also leads the school’s Homework Club and oversees proactive community outreach. Sterling noted that her school is more than a workplace, calling it her “second family”.
