SARASOTA, FL — Hale Law announced the launch of its 2026 Hale Helps™ Teacher of the Year campaign on March 1, inviting the public to nominate outstanding K-12 educators across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. Nominations are open through March 29, 2026, and the winning teacher will receive a free cruise courtesy of Expedia Cruises of Sarasota.
The award is part of Hale Law's broader Hale Helps™ community initiative, which also includes an annual scholarship program and a back-to-school backpack giveaway. The campaign gives parents, students, fellow educators, and community members a direct way to recognize teachers who make a lasting impact in their classrooms and schools.
To nominate a teacher, individuals can visit halelaw.com and fill out the online nomination form with their name and email address, their relationship to the teacher, the teacher's name, school name, and school county (Sarasota, Manatee, or Charlotte), and an optional personal story about why the teacher stands out. Only one nomination per person is permitted.
The nomination period ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 29, 2026. The five eligible teachers who receive the highest number of verified nominations will move on to the finalist round and will be announced on April 7. Public voting will take place online from April 7 through April 26. Following vote verification and compliance review, the 2026 Hale Helps™ Teacher of the Year will be announced on April 28.
The winning teacher receives a free cruise for two, provided as a $1,000 cruise credit through Expedia Cruises of Sarasota. The credit covers cruise fare for two people, including port taxes, fees, and prepaid gratuities.
Now in its third year, the Hale Helps™ Teacher of the Year award continues to recognize outstanding local educators for their classroom excellence. The program is part of Hale Law's ongoing commitment to supporting students, families, and educators throughout Southwest Florida.
In addition to Teacher of the Year, the Hale Helps™ initiative includes the Hale Helps™ Scholarship for students demonstrating academic achievement and community involvement, and the Hale Helps™ Backpack Giveaway, which provides school supplies to local families each year.
