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Centered in the graphic is a large yellow banner reading “Teachers of the Year.” Surrounding the banner are five photographs of honorees from across the school. In the upper left, a Deaf Elementary School teacher (Brooke Stimpfle) stands holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a recognition sash. In the upper center, a Deaf Middle School teacher (Alicia Lugo) poses outdoors holding a large sign that reads “Teacher of the Year Deaf Middle School.” In the upper right-center, a Deaf High School teacher (Brianna Hadden) is pictured with a large group of students holding oversized letters spelling “TOY” for Teacher of the Year. In the lower left, a Blind Elementary/Middle School teacher (Derek Ferguson) stands beside colorful celebration balloons and flowers. In the lower center, a Blind High School teacher (Leslie Costello) is surrounded by students during a recognition event while holding flowers. On the right side of the graphic is a green banner labeled “Rookie Finalists.” Above the banner, a Deaf High School rookie finalist (Alexis Griffin) stands in front of a classroom display featuring the words “hungry for a good book!” and several decorative green plates. Below the banner, a Deaf Middle School rookie finalist (Kelsey Walsh) stands in front of a colorful school display wall.

Celebrating Our 2027-2028 School-Level Teachers of the Year and Rookie of the Year Finalists!

FSDB President

October 2, 2026

This year, our Teacher of the Year and Rookie of the Year process was more inclusive and community-driven than ever before, and we are excited to announce our School-Level Teachers of the Year and Rookie of the Year Finalists! These outstanding educators have advanced to the next stage of the selection process, which will include classroom observations and interviews conducted by our Overall Selection Committee consisting of our current Teacher of the Year, Hannah Glynn, and retired school leaders debbie Schuler and James Della Pena. We are grateful for their service in helping select the educators who will represent the very best of FSDB, and we congratulate each of these deserving teachers and finalists on this well-earned recognition.

2027-2028 School-Level Teachers of the Year

  • Blind Elementary/Middle School (BEMS): Derek Ferguson

  • Blind High School (BHS): Leslie Costello

  • Deaf Elementary School (DES): Brooke Stimpfle

  • Deaf Middle School (DMS): Alicia Lugo

  • Deaf High School (DHS): Brianna Hadden

  • 2027-2028 Rookie of the Year Finalists: Alexis Griffin & Kelsey Walsh

This year's process reflected the voices and perspectives of FSDB's entire community:

  • 28 Parent/Guardian Nominations submitted for Teacher of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

  • 52 Campus Community Votes cast for Teacher of the Year from employees (people from all the schools as well as Speech & Audiology, Instructional Services, Career Development, Transportation, Interpreter Services, Outreach, ELL/ESOL, Boarding, and Curriculum & Professional Development)

  • 31 Campus Community Votes cast for Rookie of the Year (nominations from all the schools as well as Speech & Audiology, Curriculum & Professional Development, Interpreter Services, Admissions, and Instructional Services).

  • 34 Employees served on selection committees representing 18 departments across campus.

  • 82 Different FSDB Community Members Participated by nominating candidates, voting, or serving on a selection committee! We hope this number grows next year.

Thank you to every parent, guardian, employee, volunteer, and committee member who participated in this process. Your involvement helped make this recognition program more representative, inclusive, and meaningful.

Most importantly, congratulations to our School-Level Teachers of the Year and our Rookie of the Year Finalists! Your dedication, passion, professionalism, and commitment to students make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.

Together, we continue to celebrate excellence in teaching and learning while recognizing the remarkable educators who help our students do more, be more, and achieve more.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the FSDB Overall Teacher of the Year and FSDB Rookie of the Year at the end of October and FSDB School Related Employee of the Year in November.

Centered in the graphic is a large yellow banner reading “Teachers of the Year.” Surrounding the banner are five photographs of honorees from across the school. In the upper left, a Deaf Elementary School teacher (Brooke Stimpfle) stands holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a recognition sash. In the upper center, a Deaf Middle School teacher (Alicia Lugo) poses outdoors holding a large sign that reads “Teacher of the Year Deaf Middle School.” In the upper right-center, a Deaf High School teacher (Brianna Hadden) is pictured with a large group of students holding oversized letters spelling “TOY” for Teacher of the Year. In the lower left, a Blind Elementary/Middle School teacher (Derek Ferguson) stands beside colorful celebration balloons and flowers. In the lower center, a Blind High School teacher (Leslie Costello) is surrounded by students during a recognition event while holding flowers. On the right side of the graphic is a green banner labeled “Rookie Finalists.” Above the banner, a Deaf High School rookie finalist (Alexis Griffin) stands in front of a classroom display featuring the words “hungry for a good book!” and several decorative green plates. Below the banner, a Deaf Middle School rookie finalist (Kelsey Walsh) stands in front of a colorful school display wall.

Photo Description: Centered in the graphic is a large yellow banner reading “Teachers of the Year.” Surrounding the banner are five photographs of honorees from across the school. In the upper left, a Deaf Elementary School teacher (Brooke Stimpfle) stands holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a recognition sash. In the upper center, a Deaf Middle School teacher (Alicia Lugo) poses outdoors holding a large sign that reads “Teacher of the Year Deaf Middle School.” In the upper right-center, a Deaf High School teacher (Brianna Hadden) is pictured with a large group of students holding oversized letters spelling “TOY” for Teacher of the Year. In the lower left, a Blind Elementary/Middle School teacher (Derek Ferguson) stands beside colorful celebration balloons and flowers. In the lower center, a Blind High School teacher (Leslie Costello) is surrounded by students during a recognition event while holding flowers.

On the right side of the graphic is a green banner labeled “Rookie Finalists.” Above the banner, a Deaf High School rookie finalist (Alexis Griffin) stands in front of a classroom display featuring the words “hungry for a good book!” and several decorative green plates. Below the banner, a Deaf Middle School rookie finalist (Kelsey Walsh) stands in front of a colorful school display wall.