Caring, positive and inspirational — that’s how students describe Denise White of James B. Sanderlin K-8 IB World School. This year, she was named 2026 Teacher of the Year for Pinellas County Schools, recognizing more than three decades of dedication to local students. A proud Pinellas County native, White was honored at the Evening of Excellence hosted by the Pinellas Education Foundation at the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park. She will now advance to the state competition sponsored by the Florida Department of Education.
TBPM: What does being named 2026 Pinellas County Schools Teacher of the Year mean to you?
DW: When I first started teaching in Pinellas County Schools in the early 90’s, this was something I dreamt of, and shortly before my father died in 1996, he told me he knew that one day I would be “Teacher of the Year.”…