Barbara Rebeor has been named 2025 Teacher of the Year by the School District of Lee County. PROVIDED

The School District of Lee County has announced that Harns Marsh Middle School teacher Barbara Rebeor is the 2025 Lee County Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin, School Board members, district administrators and school staff surprised Rebeor with her award.

“This for our school, our team and our kids,” Rebeor said just after being surprised. “These kids inspire me every single day. Their creativity, their quest for discovery. They make it so easy to want more for them. This team here challenges me every day, inspires me, pushes me and supports me. I can’t wait for the state to see our incredible District.”

Rebeor is an eighth-grade science teacher and department chair at Harns Marsh Middle School. Under her leadership, the school’s science department ranked #1 in the district in 2022 and #2 in 2023 and 2024. Rebeor’s 8th-grade students have increased their proficiency on the 8th grade FSA test by 15%.

“Miss Rebeor welcomes all students into her science classroom,” said Harns Marsh Middle School Assistant Principal Samantha Hower. “She has created a model classroom where other teachers go to witness research-proven strategies in action. Through her leadership in facilitating meaningful PLC groups, analyzing data, providing professional development, and creating rigorous lesson plans and standards-based assessments, her students achieve some of the highest learning gains.”

Rebeor joined the district in 2005 as a 7th grade science teacher at Gulf Middle School. While teaching 8th grade science at Challenger Middle School she was recognized with a Golden Apple Award in 2013 from the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. She joined Harns Marsh Middle School in 2020 after a year at Bonita Springs High School. Rebeor serves on the school’s Leadership Team and Professional Development Team, while also serving as a mentor to international teachers, new teachers, and FGCU interns.

“I was an assistant principal at Challenger Middle when I first met her and even then I knew, wow, just an amazing teacher,” said Harns Marsh Middle School Principal Alex Dworzanski. “I had to work with her again, so it tried and I tried and I tried to bring her to Harns Marsh and she came to us. I am so blessed to have one of the best teachers in the District.”

The Lee County Teacher of the Year program recognizes certified personnel for the significant contributions they make to their school and The School District of Lee County. The program honors one representative as Lee County’s Teacher of the Year. The nominees are individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in the performance of their jobs thereby earning the respect and admiration of students, teachers, administrators, coworkers, parents and the community.

The district will forward Rebeor’s application to the state for consideration as 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year. She will be formally recognized by the School Board at an upcoming meeting.

The district also thanks Suncoast Credit Union for sponsoring the Teacher of the Year recognition program.