Cynthia Carleton, a teacher at Palm Harbor Middle School, is one of 10 finalists for the 2026-27 Pinellas County Schools Teacher of the Year.

The district announced the top-10 list on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Carleton represents Palm Harbor Middle on the list.

The 10 were chosen from 126 school-level Teachers of the Year honored at a luncheon the week prior.

Pinellas County Schools said the finalists received classroom celebrations, school-wide assemblies and surprise visits from Superintendent Kevin Hendrick, executive leadership and family members.

The full list of finalists:

  • Stephanie Bowman, Bardmoor Elementary
  • Isabelle Burns, Sawgrass Lake Elementary
  • Cynthia Carleton, Palm Harbor Middle
  • Katrina Klausing, Fairmount Park Elementary
  • Sharmae Lamar, Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Elementary
  • Mark Mansour, Clearwater High
  • Lourdes Pickart, Ponce De Leon Elementary
  • Jennie Robinson, Sandy Lane Elementary
  • Robert Scicolone, Pinellas Technical College Clearwater
  • Robert Thomas, Gibbs High

The district will celebrate the finalists again and announce the 2026-27 Teacher of the Year at the annual Evening of Excellence on Jan. 27, 2027.