Miami-Dade Celebrates Excellence in Education, Southwood Middle's Vivian Ventura Crowned 2026 Teacher of the Year

Continuing her legacy of excellence in education, Vivian Ventura, an orchestra teacher at Southwood Middle School, has earned the prestigious title of the 2026 Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year. Recognized for her dedication and impact in the realm of music education, Ventura was honored during a ceremony held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Miami Airport & Convention Center, as reported by Local 10.

In her twenty years of teaching, her pupils, who often start with no musical knowledge, have blossomed under her direction into skilled musicians. According to a WSVN report, Ventura's students have pursued their passions, securing spots at esteemed institutions like the Juilliard School and even gracing the stage in productions like "Hamilton." Ventura's Southwood Middle students have outshone in competition, earning more superior medals in District contests than any other middle school in the area, speaking to her ability to transform novices into maestros.

While Ventura captures the spotlight, other educators have also been commended for their outstanding commitment to teaching. Leroy Douglas from Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College was named a runner-up in the race for teacher of the year.

Nikolas Venegas, a first-grade teacher at Avocado Elementary School, who made his classroom a dynamic epicenter for exploration, was touted as the 2025 Rookie Teacher of the Year. With a classroom built around collaboration and independent discovery, his students delve into real-world projects steeped in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) principles. Karen Lisley Leiva, bringing her own brand of educational innovation as a third-grade teacher at North Beach Elementary, shone bright enough as the Rookie Teacher of the Year runner-up, Local 10 noted.

As reported by Local 10, Kendall Toyota will be gifting a brand new car to the winner.