Florida Southern College Awards Full Scholarship to Polk County’s 2024 Teacher of the Year

Florida Southern College is proud to announce that Polk County’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, Cynara Appling, has been awarded a full scholarship to pursue a Master of Education in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction at Florida Southern College. Appling, a dedicated fifth-grade teacher at Spook Hill Elementary in Lake Wales, will begin her studies this May.

On Monday, Appling visited Florida Southern College to receive the prestigious award and meet with Dr. Lori Rakes, Dean of the School of Education. The meeting highlighted Appling’s outstanding contributions to the community and her remarkable impact on education in Polk County. During the visit, Dr. Rakes expressed Florida Southern’s strong commitment to supporting exceptional educators like Appling and the College’s continued dedication to helping them further their educational development.

"Education holds the transformative power to shape future generations, and we are delighted to support Cynara in advancing her skills as an educational leader," said Dr. Rakes. "Through this master’s program, our goal is to empower educators like Cynara to create meaningful, positive impacts on the students and communities they serve." 

Appling, who has been teaching throughout Polk County for several years, is renowned for her innovative teaching methods and dedication to student success. She has developed engaging and effective lesson plans, such as her kinesthetic word wall and chem café, that not only promote academic growth but also foster a love of learning in her students. It is this commitment to both her students and her community that has earned her the title of Polk County Teacher of the Year.

“I am ecstatic,” said Appling. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I never had the opportunity. Florida Southern giving me this opportunity really is a dream come true. I am excited about the further impact that I can make on my students and community. I’ve always envisioned myself guiding new teachers or potentially teaching at the collegiate level, and I believe this new degree can help make that opportunity a reality.” 

Florida Southern College is excited to welcome Cynara Appling to its School of Education, where she will join a diverse group of educators committed to excellence in teaching and leadership. We hope that Appling’s journey will not only enhance her own professional development but also contribute to the broader mission of shaping future leaders in education.