Citrus County Schools

Crystal River, FL – In a heartwarming surprise this morning, Autumn Crabtree, Culinary Arts teacher at Crystal River High School, was announced as one of five finalists for the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year award. The announcement was made during her culinary class, where she was surprised by Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert, members of the Citrus County School District Leadership Team, and Dr. Paul Burns, Chancellor for the Division of K-12 Public Schools, along with his team from the Florida Department of Education.

Crabtree is among five finalists selected from Florida’s 76 district Teachers of the Year. This recognition marks the first time in over a decade that a Citrus County educator has reached this level of distinction.

“Autumn has become a driving force in Career and Technical Education—serving not only as the head of the department at CRHS but as a mentor, innovator, and advocate for her students,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert. “She is a proud graduate of the Citrus County School District and is a true example of what it means to have a student-centered approach to teaching. Her classroom is a launchpad for futures.”

As the state moves closer to selecting the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year, Citrus County celebrates this remarkable achievement, and the inspiring impact Mrs. Crabtree continues to have on her students and community.

More about Autumn Crabtree:

Autumn Crabtree is a culinary arts teacher at Crystal River High School in Citrus County. She received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Management from Grand Canyon University. She is certified in Middle Grades Mathematics and Family and Consumer Science.

Under her leadership, the Culinary Arts program has seen tremendous growth. She has prioritized industry certifications to give students a competitive edge in the workforce. In the 2021–2022 school year, 23 of her 46 students passed the ServSafe Food Manager certification—marking the highest pass rate to date. That number rose to 38 out of 42 in 2022–2023, and again to 42 out of 58 in 2023–2024, showing a steady and meaningful upward trend in performance.

In 2022–2023, Autumn introduced the AMSAA Food Safety and Science Certification, offering students a second credential to strengthen their career readiness. In its very first year, 25 out of 26 students passed—an extraordinary success that speaks to her vision and effectiveness as an educator.

Beyond the classroom, Autumn serves as a community connector. She co-founded the school’s annual College and Career Expo, which grew from 30 participating organizations in its first year to 36 in the next - offering more than 450 students access to professionals, career advice, and future opportunities. She brings in guest speakers, collaborates across departments, and designs real-world experiences that make learning relevant and unforgettable.

She celebrates her students with joy and intention—highlighting their work on social media, displaying their successes on a classroom photo wall known affectionately as “the fridge,” and making sure every student feels seen, valued, and proud.

The 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year state finalists were chosen from nearly 175,000 public school teachers. After each school district selects its Teacher of the Year, a committee representing teachers, principals, parents, and the business community reviews each district application on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional learning and outstanding school and community service. The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education and will represent the Florida Department of Education and teachers throughout the state.

The 2026 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year winner will be announced in July.