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In a momentous announcement, Citrus County Schools proudly recognizes Denise Langdon, an exceptional fourth-grade teacher at Inverness Primary School, as the deserving "Teacher of the Year" for 2025. Further, we applaud Kristina Reid, a highly regarded Paraprofessional at Forest Ridge Elementary, for being named the outstanding "School-Related Employee of the Year" for 2024.
Superintendent Sam Himmel revealed the winners at the Galaxy of the Stars event, hosted by the Citrus County Education Foundation at the College of Central Florida on Tuesday, December 5th. The recipients, chosen from a group of finalists, were acknowledged along with others during the ceremony.
Education is a family legacy for Denise Langdon, whose early lessons from her family emphasized fostering positive student relationships. Principal Bridget Merchant at Inverness Primary School acknowledges Mrs. Langdon's efforts to positively impact students, highlighting her unwavering passion for teaching and commitment to learning. She tackles challenges with a can-do attitude, integrating technology and exploring innovative approaches to keep her teaching practices fresh and engaging.
Kristina Reid is a go-getter, being the first paraprofessional at Forest Ridge Elementary to utilize the PBIS app in the lunchroom, serving on the PBIS committee, and earning her Literacy Micro-credential to enhance student support. Her administrators commend Mrs. Reid for her kindness and supportiveness in helping students achieve their goals. Beyond her dedication to the school, Mrs. Reid donates her time to coaching sports, volunteering at the YMCA and Blessings in a Backpack, and collaborating on launching a Morning Math Lab.
We would like to thank the Citrus County Education Foundation for its continuous support of this event and awarding each winner $500. It’s because of the foundation and its sponsors that this event is fully funded by the foundation at no cost to the district.
A special thank you to Jenkins Auto Group, who awarded our Teacher of the Year, Denise Langdon, with a KIA Forte. They also matched the Education Foundations prize to Kristina Reid, School-Related Employee of the Year with an additional $500. Each winner will also receive a check from the State of Florida. That amount has yet to be determined.
Taking a moment to highlight outstanding contributors, Citrus Education Foundation Executive Director Shaunda Burdette expressed gratitude towards two remarkable community figures. JJ Grow received well-deserved recognition for his tireless dedication to the school district and foundation, consistently stepping up in any situation. School Police Chief Dave Vincent was also honored for his unwavering commitment to ensuring school safety and supporting new programs within the foundation always ensuring safety is the number one priority. Mrs. Burdette and Superintendent Sam Himmel presented both honorees with plaques, recognizing their ongoing leadership in Citrus County.