Educators: Our Everyday Heroes

To honor our everyday heroes in education, we asked you to submit nominations for your favorite teachers, counselors, administrators and coaches. And you came through. We received thousands of photos and stories of remarkable educators who are changing lives and communities in impactful ways. After reading through every amazing submission, we are delighted to celebrate 18 winners with trips to Margaritaville.

Meet our incredible winners!

Grand Prize Winner:

Jeff C.

Won a 7-night trip for up to 4 people to Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau to stay in the 2-bedroom Jimmy Buffett Suite, with spa treatments, breakfasts, dinner at JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, travel voucher, and more!

What his nominator said...

He is an IT Tech Instructor that worked extremely hard to provide over 1,000 Chromebooks and peripherals to all students and staff at a low-income elementary school. As a result of his efforts, these children were able to continue their education this year. Jeff has given his life to service – first he served in the U.S. Army during Desert Storm, then was a law enforcement officer for 23 years, supporting our community and building bonds. He is also a foster/adopt father of four amazing young people.


First Place Winners:

winners listed in no particular order

Mark P.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun all-inclusive resort

What his nominator said...

As the Director of Pupil Personnel, Mark coordinates services and supports for a large and diverse school district. During the COVID pandemic, he created a grocery program that delivered food to families in need which were home bound.

Nicole D.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Resort & Casino Bossier City in Louisiana

What her nominator said...

Nicole is our family hero as she literally saved our son’s life by being a mentor, leader, and go to confidant when he was going through a difficult time. She would literally stop her day for him. Nicole is our HERO and deserves to be recognized for her undying commitment to the bettering of all students while setting her needs aside.

Peter L.

Won a 7-night stay for 2 people at Margaritaville Beach Resort Costa Rica

What his nominator said...

Professor Peter brought serenity to my life and single handedly shaped my law school experience. He is the reason why I am a first-generation lawyer and now the founder of a special education advocacy center.

Annette S.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Beach Hotel Jacksonville Beach in Florida

What her nominator said...

Annette spent 30+ years devoted to students as a chemistry/physics teacher, homecoming activity week & dance adviser, student council adviser, cross country and track coach and she planned international trips each summer for students for learning beyond the classroom. After losing her husband to cancer 3+ years ago, she just retired this week and is now facing cancer herself and a double mastectomy in a few days.

Steve W.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4-people at Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe in Texas

What his nominator said...

Steve is a 7th & 8th grade Social Studies and English teacher & basketball coach for over 40 years. He makes learning so much fun with his humorous stories, games and classic rock music.

Justin U.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4-people at Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg in Tennessee

What his nominator said...

Justin U. is a doting (new) father, a wonderful husband/son/friend, a dedicated and inspiring educator of 13 years and is currently working hard to earn his master’s degree in Education Leadership. "Mr. U" is loved, respected, and considered a true leader by everyone around him at school: students, parents, teachers, and administrators alike!

Joanna D.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Beach Hotel Pensacola in Florida

What her nominator said...

Teaching during the pandemic has been close to impossible. Mrs. Douglas went above and beyond every single day; not only for the children in her own class, but kids she had previous years, as well as children she will have in the future. She went to their little league games, she sent pictures to the parents at home to show they were safe, and she brought their school supplies to their houses when school went virtual for two weeks.

Natalie C.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana all-inclusive resort

What her nominator said...

Natalie is currently a third-grade teacher. She was diagnosed with cancer at 17 and decided while a patient at St. Jude to choose a career in serving children. She is now pursuing her doctoral degree in Behavioral Health to help students she believes are falling between the cracks at school and home.

Lauren G.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs in California

What her nominator said...

Lauren is my hero because she is a top-notch educator who puts the kids before herself. She not only works as the reading interventionalist and dyslexia therapist of her school, but she also works the after-school program every night of the week.

Matt S.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri

What his nominator said...

Matt made the learning experience amazing! Being an instructor of both Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology, he instilled in us, the future nurses of America, just how important of a job we'd have on the front lines of fighting disease! Through the pandemic, through a mask, through a zoom screen, he always encouraged us to believe in ourselves and made us laugh with all of his dad jokes!

Denise G.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Compass Hotel Anna Maria Sound in Florida

What her nominator said...

Dr. Denise is one of the most phenomenal instructors I know! She truly has the ability to teach students to see the vitality in themselves. She has taught online nursing students through this incredibly challenging time and has met the challenge each and every day.

Sharyn S.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Resort Times Square in New York

What her nominator said...

Sharyn is an amazing math educator (for 33 years!), soccer and softball coach, and incredible Jimmy Buffett fan. Ms. S. also commits herself to serving the community through food drives, school supply collections, Challenger baseball, and promoting Women in STEM.

Jennifer K.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Hotel Nashville in Tennessee

What her nominator said...

Jennifer is a special needs teacher who recently started nursing school so she can better serve her students by being able to give them necessary meds. She's always there to cheer her kids on, whether it be for a Beauty Pageant or a Track Meet.

David K.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort in Florida

What his nominator said...

David is a science teacher and during the pandemic, many of his student's family members became out of work and they were struggling. David came up with an amazing idea to help out by teaching the children to make homemade soap and sell it as a fundraiser. He made a huge difference in the lives of his class and the class raised over $8000!

Jim M.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Resort Orlando in Florida

What his nominator said...

For over 30 years, Mr. M has dedicated his life to educating, leading, and supporting elementary students and has set a standard of kindness and compassion. His classroom, which he named "Molenariville", encourages independence, creativity, and generosity with a never-ending list of special events, including his weekly "Big Kahuna", which highlights a different student and their talents every week, organizing a yearly service project with his entire class to show the importance of volunteering, and planning, setting up, and cooking for an annual Christmas class breakfast.

Steven N.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Hotel Nashville in Tennessee

What his nominator said...

Mr. Normand has been teaching history and coaching football for 28 years. His students and athletes love him, and he would do anything for them. He has shown his support for these kids in so many ways. He has fed them, clothed them and provided transportation for them when no one else would.

Vicki P.

Won a 5-night stay for up to 4 people at Margaritaville Island Inn Pigeon Forge in Tennessee

What her nominator said...

Vicki is a U.S. Army Veteran and a Special Education teacher for 21 years. When her students need or want to do something, she is always making it happen.

View The Gallery Of Finalists