A Florida Teacher of the Year’s Recipe for Success

Nicolette Barone, Hillsborough County's 2024 District Teacher of the Year and the 2024 Florida finalist for the President's Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in elementary math, is a force of nature in the classroom. With her infectious energy and innovative approach, she's inspiring students to love math like never before. However, you might be surprised to learn that teaching wasn't Ms. Barone's original career path. 

“I wanted to be a nurse,” Ms. Barone candidly shares. “I was going to save lives. But after failing anatomy twice, I realized teaching found me. I’ve never looked back since.” 

Teaching may not have been her first choice, but it’s certainly where she’s meant to be, in room 204 with her fifth graders at Oak Park Elementary School!

We were delighted to chat with Ms. Barone at The National Institutes in Miami Beach, Florida about her classroom, her teaching philosophy, and her plans for the future. 

How did you get into teaching?
I’ve been teaching for nine years, but I never grew up dreaming about it. I actually wanted to be a nurse and save lives, but I failed anatomy twice. People around me kept saying, "You're really good at helping people understand things, why not try teaching?" So I took a class, and it just felt right. I think teaching found me, and it’s been a great time ever since.

What’s your teaching philosophy?
I live by Coach Taylor's words from Friday Night Lights: "Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose." I tell my students that if they visualize what they want to achieve and are passionate about it, they can’t lose. Whether it’s building relationships, mastering math, or growing professionally, if you approach it with a clear vision and a full heart, you’re bound to succeed.

What do you love most about teaching fifth grade?
My favorite part is watching my students get ready to go to middle school, to see them become bigger members of society with dreams, hopes, and aspirations. It’s amazing. But the hardest part is the last day of school—when they’re not ready to leave, but you have to let them go. You hold back the tears until the last bus leaves, but you know they’re going to be phenomenal.

What’s your secret to fostering such strong, lasting relationships with your students?
I always tell people, it doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do it with love. If you bring love into your classroom, into your relationships, and into teaching, you’ll be successful. That’s the key to building connections that last a lifetime.

You’re passionate about math. How do you make it engaging for your students?
Math is as fun as you make it! I bring things from my own life into the classroom—like Guy’s Grocery Games. I’m a huge Guy Fieri fan, so I transformed my class into a game show. I become Guy for the day, and my students are the chefs. They compete in math-related challenges, and I even bring in administrators to be the judges. It’s one of the most exciting and engaging lessons I do. The kids love it and look forward to it every year.

How did it feel when you found out you were a finalist for the President’s Award?
When I got the call, I thought it was about my student loans! But the person on the phone said, “You’re a finalist for the President’s Award of Excellence in Math and Science Teaching,” and I was like, “Oh my God, this isn’t real!” It’s such an incredible honor to represent Florida on a national level, especially when I think about where I came from—just a girl from Staten Island who stumbled into teaching and has so much fun every day.

What motivates you as a teacher?
Everything I do is for my kids. Winning Teacher of the Year wasn’t just my accomplishment—it was theirs too. I didn’t win for me, I won for them. Being able to represent them and show what we’re capable of is what makes all of this so special.

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As Ms. Barone continues to inspire students, her journey serves as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a love for teaching. From overcoming initial challenges to becoming a celebrated educator, Nicolette's story reminds us that with dedication and a heart full of love, anyone can make a lasting impact.