Guest Commentary: From the Classroom: A teacher reflects on a year of progress in Lee County schools
Students aren’t the only ones learning in the classroom… educators learn, too.
After more than 20 years as a public school teacher, I have learned that meaningful change in education is rarely instant. When it happens, though, teachers and students feel the difference immediately.
This school year has brought important and impactful improvements across The School District of Lee County that are strengthening classrooms, supporting educators and helping students succeed. As a middle school teacher and a member of my school’s leadership team, I see these changes shaping daily life for both teachers and children.
Teaching runs deep in my family. My mother and grandmother were teachers, my sister is a teacher and now my daughter has joined the profession. My own path was shaped by educators who recognized that I did not always learn the same way as my peers. They showed me that obstacles are not impossibilities; they simply require the right strategies and support.
Stability in the classroom matters
One of the most significant improvements districtwide has been the dramatic reduction in teacher vacancies, dropping from hundreds at any given time to just a handful.
Although many substitute teachers are effective educators, a classroom without a permanent teacher can mean inconsistent instruction and disrupted learning. Stability is essential for children and teens who thrive on routine and strong relationships.
When schools have constant turnover, it’s challenging for everyone. Filling classrooms with qualified teachers is not just a staffing victory; it directly benefits student achievement.
With more teachers in place, schools can focus on instruction rather than covering vacancies, allowing educators to devote their energy where it belongs – on students.
Protecting instructional time
Learning requires focus, and one of the most noticeable shifts this year has been the district’s bell-to-bell technology ban removing personal electronic devices during the school day. Teachers have reported higher engagement and fewer classroom distractions. In my classroom, the impact has been immediate. Students are talking more, behavioral issues have declined, and children appear more grounded and present.
Most importantly, they are rediscovering something that should never disappear from childhood: the chance to simply be kids. When distractions fade, curiosity has room to grow.
Getting students to school ready to learn
Reliable transportation may sound operational, but it has a direct academic impact.
The district’s Safe Start Initiative has resulted in 95% of buses arriving on time, a major improvement from years of persistent delays. Not long ago, students regularly arrived late, costing valuable instructional time and making it difficult to plan lessons or assessments. Today, that disruption has been significantly reduced.
Students are in their seats, prepared to begin the day exactly where and when they should be.
Investing in teachers pays off for students
Throughout my career, I have collaborated with educators across the country. Those experiences reinforced how fortunate we are in Lee County to have access to strong professional development and instructional training.
Much like a top-performing business, strong school systems invest in teachers because the return is student success.
Being named the School District’s 2025 Teacher of the Year was both humbling and empowering. The recognition affirmed that our work matters while deepening my responsibility to mentor others, support new educators and help cultivate future teacher leaders. Great schools are built by educators who lift one another up.
Looking ahead with purpose
Transforming a school system takes courage, commitment and collaboration. As Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin noted in reflecting on her first year, achieving greatness requires moving beyond “how we’ve always done it.”
From the classroom perspective, I see that progress unfolding every day. When we support teachers, protect instructional time and prioritize student needs, we create schools where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
That is a win worth building on.
— Barbara Rebeor is a teacher at Harns Marsh Middle School in Lehigh Acres and the 2025 Teacher of the Year for The School District of Lee County.