Veteran educator Roberto Rabelo and first-year standout Kristian Jose Luciano were named Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ top teachers for 2027 during an awards ceremony held this evening at the DoubleTree by Hilton Miami Airport & Convention Center.
Rabelo, a social studies and civics teacher at South Miami Middle Community School, was named the district’s Francisco R. Walker Teacher of the Year, the highest honor awarded by M-DCPS. A 37-year classroom veteran, Rabelo has built a reputation for mentoring students and fostering both academic success and personal growth.
Rabelo traces his decision to become an educator to his mother, who cared for his brother, Lazaro. His teaching career began at Kensington Park Elementary School — the same school his brother attended — where he was recognized as Rookie Teacher of the Year in 1993.
At South Miami Middle, Rabelo founded the DWOW Mindset of Success — “Do What Others Won’t”, an approach that has delivered measurable academic gains. In one year, Civics End-of-Course exam scores rose from 64% to 83%, surpassing results from advanced classes.
Beyond academics, Rabelo is known for emphasizing social-emotional learning. Often referred to as the school’s “Social Learning Guru,” he launched student-led initiatives such as The Power of One and ICLK (Inspiring Compassion, Love, and Kindness), both of which promote community service and positive school culture.
The Teacher of the Year runner-up was Dale J. Adamson, a robotics and engineering teacher at Howard D. McMillan Middle School.
The district also recognized its top new educator, naming Kristian Jose Luciano, a social studies teacher at Homestead Middle School, as M-DCPS 2027 Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Luciano teaches seventh- and eighth-grade students and is known for blending high expectations with compassion, drawing on personal experiences to motivate students. His impact has been reflected in student outcomes, including a 14-percentage point increase in Civics End-of-Course exam scores in 2025.
In addition to serving as Social Studies Department Chair, Luciano sponsors the school’s National Junior Honor Society chapter and mentors fellow educators. He also volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem, advocating for children in the foster care system.
The Rookie Teacher of the Year runner-up was Katherine Ocejo, a kindergarten teacher at Ernest R. Graham K-8 Academy.
Signature sponsors for the event included Educational Federal Credit Union, United Way Miami and Kendall Toyota, which will present the Teacher of the Year with a new vehicle. Additional partners included United Teachers of Dade, the Miami-Dade County Council of PTAs/PTSAs, the Dade Association of School Administrators, Univision and Fox-Mar Photography.
