In a celebration of excellence in education, Vivian Ventura, an orchestra teacher at Southwood Middle School, has been named the 2026 Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year.
The announcement was made during a ceremony held Tuesday evening at the DoubleTree by Hilton Miami Airport & Convention Center.
Ventura, a dedicated educator with 20 years of service in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), is known for her unwavering commitment to her students and her passion for music education. Her teaching philosophy, encapsulated by the motto “never stop learning,” has guided countless students from novice musicians to accomplished performers.
Under her leadership, Southwood Middle School students have consistently received superior ratings in District Music Performance Assessments, earning more top medals than any other middle school in the district. Many of her former students have pursued further studies at esteemed institutions such as Juilliard and performed in renowned productions like Hamilton.
Beyond her classroom, Ventura extends her influence as an instructor with the Greater Miami Youth Symphony, where she has inspired young musicians for the past decade. She has also been recognized as a guest conductor for the Superintendent’s Elementary Honors Orchestra, the West Palm Beach Honors Middle School Orchestra, and the Jacksonville Honors Elementary Orchestra.
Leroy Douglas, an appliance repair teacher at Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College, was named the runner-up for the prestigious Teacher of the Year award.
Rookie Teacher of the Year
At the same ceremony, Nikolas Venegas, a first-grade teacher at Avocado Elementary School, was honored as the 2025 Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Venegas has gained recognition for his innovative teaching methods, creating an engaging classroom environment where young students explore math, science, and social studies through interactive stations infused with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) principles. His hands-on, inquiry-based approach fosters critical thinking and creativity, while his commitment to communication keeps parents actively involved in their children’s education through emails, phone calls, and newsletters.
The runner-up for Rookie Teacher of the Year was Karen Lisley Leiva, a third-grade teacher at North Beach Elementary School.
The annual Teacher of the Year event highlights the dedication of educators who shape the future of students in Miami-Dade County. The celebration was made possible through the support of sponsors including the Educational Federal Credit Union (EdFed), United Way Miami, and Kendall Toyota, which presented the Teacher of the Year with the keys to a new car.
