Port St. Lucie — At the Education Foundation of Martin County’s Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration on Friday, Pinewood Elementary’s Richard Acosta was announced as the 2026‑27 Martin County Teacher of the Year. The ceremony, held at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, drew roughly 800 attendees, including district leaders, parents and community sponsors.
Acosta’s career and teaching philosophy
Acosta has been an educator since 1991 and joined the Martin County School District in 2019 as the Related Arts‑Science teacher at Pinewood Elementary. He describes his approach as constantly seeking improvement: “After I teach a lesson, I’m always thinking of how I can make it better. I’m never tired of it because I teach science, and I’m always one‑upping the lesson, striving to be better than I was the day before.”
Impact on STEAM and student achievement
During his tenure, Acosta has led school‑wide STEAM initiatives, chaired the STEAM School Improvement Team and secured two Education Foundation grants for innovative science projects. He also developed a “Birds of the Everglades” curriculum in partnership with Friends of the Everglades and Inwater Research Group, slated for a pilot launch at Pinewood in fall 2026. These efforts have contributed to a 12‑percentage‑point rise in fifth‑grade science proficiency district‑wide.
Recognition from district leaders
Superintendent Michael Maine praised the tradition of honoring educators, saying, “We are incredibly proud of all of our school‑level honorees and especially proud to recognize Richard Acosta as the 2026‑27 Martin County Teacher of the Year.” Education Foundation President Kelley Decowski added, “Mr. Acosta exemplifies the passion and dedication that make our teachers extraordinary.” Former Pinewood principal Susanna Deutsch noted, “His love for teaching is evident in every learning experience he creates, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.”
Other award recipients
The ceremony also highlighted outstanding educators at other levels. Miriam Hernandez, an intensive reading teacher at Indiantown Middle School, earned Middle School Teacher of the Year after a decade‑long career that began as a paraprofessional in 2006. At South Fork High School, International Baccalaureate physics and chemistry teacher Marc Turull was named High School Teacher of the Year, recognized for his real‑world applications of science and involvement in extracurricular STEM programs.
Community support and sponsors
The event’s presenting sponsors—Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart, Cigna Healthcare, Publix Super Markets Charities and Keiser University—underscored the community’s commitment to education. The Education Foundation of Martin County maintains a publicly available list of nominees on its website.
About the Martin County School District
The A‑rated district serves roughly 16,000 students across Martin County, offering a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities. The Teacher of the Year program, now in its 42nd year, continues to celebrate educators who embody the district’s mission to inspire and empower every student.
For more information about upcoming district events or to learn how to support local schools, visit the Martin County School District website.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
