TAMPA, FL 鈥 The Florida Council on Economic Education (FCEE) Annual Conference began on a high note on June 8, 2026, with a special celebration recognizing 12 outstanding educators from the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education at the University of South Florida鈥檚 College of Education.
These dedicated teachers were honored as REEL (Regional Economic Education Leadership) Award winners for their commitment to bringing economics, financial literacy, and free enterprise concepts to life for their students through innovative and engaging classroom experiences.
Making Financial Literacy Meaningful and Relevant
The Stavros Center鈥檚 mission is to empower educators with the tools, resources, and strategies needed to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing global economy. Through professional learning opportunities focused on economics, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, sustainability, and innovation, the Center helps teachers create meaningful connections between classroom concepts and the real world.
This year鈥檚 REEL Award winners represent the very best of that mission. Through creativity, dedication, and a commitment to student success, these educators are helping students develop the knowledge and skills needed to become informed decision-makers and future leaders.
鈥淪upporting the work of our teachers is at the heart of everything we do at the Stavros Center,鈥 said Dr. Peter Trakas, Director of the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education. 鈥淭hese educators take complex economic concepts and transform them into engaging, real-world learning experiences that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for the future. We are incredibly proud of their leadership and the impact they are making in classrooms across our region.鈥
Celebrating Excellence in Economic Education
The Stavros Center team is proud to celebrate these 12 exceptional educators and their well-deserved statewide recognition. Their passion for teaching and dedication to empowering students reflect the impact that strong economic and financial education can have on communities.
Congratulations to this year鈥檚 REEL Award winners:
- Jamie Acree - Burnett Middle School
- Samuel Brown- Franklin Middle School
- Michkayla Dandreano- Forest Hills Elementary
- Benjamin Donetelli- Woodson K-8 School
- Jennifer Giannone- Newsome High School
- Dr. Kenneth Gilreath- Gaither High School
- Allen Gowan-Smith- Pepin Academies
- Dr. Anedra Johnson- Dickerson Elementary
- Adam Klopper- Cypress Creek Elementary
- Joelle Kostecki- Oak Park Elementary
- Olena Spridgeon- Gaither High School
- Dr. Laura Von Staden- Williams Middle School
The Stavros Center congratulates these educators for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to preparing students for a lifetime of informed choices and economic success.