Key West High's Paula Mercer Named Monroe County 2025 Teacher of the Year

Paula Mercer, an AP Government and Economics teacher at Key West High School, was named Monroe County Schools’ 2025 Teacher of the Year. The district announced the honor following a selection process that highlighted Mercer’s instructional work, student connections, and classroom leadership.

Monroe County Schools formally recognized Mercer on January 16, 2026. Mercer was singled out for her ability to reach every learner and for creating an inspiring classroom environment. She founded Key West High’s award-winning Mock Trial Team, serves on the Building Level Planning Team, leads the Senior Class with noted Conch Pride, and volunteers with Special Olympics. The selection committee praised Mercer’s instructional video, her strong connections with students, and her reflective emphasis on civic responsibility and student achievement.

Mercer’s recognition comes alongside nine other school-level Teachers of the Year from across the district: Heather Geaneas (SSE), Kyle Harrison (KLS), Amanda Erikson (PKS), Jessica Richard (MHS), Marisa Conaty (POI), Danielle Thomas (CSH), Melissa Meier (SLS), Dara Hennessy (GAE), and Scott Polcha (HOB). Together, these ten honorees represent a cross-section of Monroe County Schools and the district’s emphasis on classroom excellence and leadership.

The award has practical implications for local students and the community. Mercer’s role teaching AP Government and Economics supports college readiness and civic literacy for Key West High students. The Mock Trial program gives students applied practice in public speaking, legal reasoning, and teamwork, skills that local employers and postsecondary institutions value. Volunteer work with Special Olympics signals broader community engagement, linking school activity to county civic life and volunteer networks.

From an economic and policy perspective, visible recognition of classroom impact can strengthen teacher retention and recruitment at a time when districts compete for experienced educators. For Monroe County, sustained investment in strong teachers like Paula Mercer contributes to human capital formation that underpins the local workforce and long-term economic resilience in a tourism-driven economy. School-level leadership and extracurricular programs also feed into community norms that support student success and, by extension, local labor-market readiness.

Monroe County residents are likely to see ongoing benefits in student opportunities at Key West High, including expanded civic programming and continued leadership from Mercer in school activities. The district’s announcement places a spotlight on teaching that combines academic rigor with community service, reinforcing the role local schools play in preparing students for civic life and the local economy.