Volusia County Schools names Erika Kazma Teacher of the Year

DELAND—Erika Kazma, a physical education teacher from R.J. Longstreet Elementary School in Daytona Beach, has been named Volusia County Schools' 2027 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from 70 nominees representing schools countywide and was one of five finalists for the district award. Kazma will now represent Volusia in the state Teacher of the Year program.

The VCS Teacher of the Year ceremony, held Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, was co-hosted by FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools and presented by AdventHealth. Among the attendees were valued partners in education, sponsors, members of the VCS family, and supporters of each of the nominees.

Kazma succeeds Jeremy Davies, an International Baccalaureate (IB) math teacher at Spruce Creek High School, who was Volusia County's 2026 Teacher of the Year.

Kazma has been teaching at Longstreet since 2015. She has taught in Volusia County Schools since 2006, spending her first year teaching 5th grade at Chisholm Elementary and then teaching 2nd-5th grades at Cypress Creek Elementary School from 2007 to 2015.

Through grants, partnerships, and creative programming, Kazma provides opportunities many students would not otherwise have, including bike riding, gardening, golfing, running clubs, and community fitness events. These experiences have broadened students’ skills, interests, and sense of belonging.

“At Longstreet, I have made it my mission to lead in ways that ripple far beyond my classroom,” Kazma said. "When a child rides their first bike, plants their first garden, or proudly wears a medal on field day, their face lights up with joy. In those moments, I am reminded that authentic leadership is not about what I accomplish but about creating opportunities that leave a lasting imprint on a child's life.”

Her data-driven instructional adjustments and a philosophy of “your only opponent is yesterday’s you” have resulted in students focusing on personal growth, allowing them to make gains in their physical and overall well-being.

In addition to teaching, Kazma is the head coach for her school’s Girls on the Run and Run clubs.

“It is in my classroom, watching students discover new strengths and overcome challenges, that I find my deepest inspiration,” Kazma said. “Their curiosity sparks my creativity, their resilience teaches me patience, and their growth fuels my determination. Their victories feel like my own, and when they struggle, I take it personally, constantly seeking new ways to reach them until the light of understanding shines through.”

Superintendent Dr. Balgobin also presented special awards, along with a $150 check from FUTURES to the following three teachers who embody this year’s district theme of “Where Every Future Begins”:

• Amy Derstine, kindergarten teacher, Citrus Grove Elementary
• Celena Tillman-Stephens, Intensive Academic Behavioral Learning Environment teacher, Riverview Learning Center
• Danyalle Miles, an ESE teacher in math and career placement at Spruce Creek High School

Major sponsors of the Teacher of the Year celebration include:

Presenting Sponsor - AdventHealth

Vehicle Sponsor – Daytona Kia and Daytona Mitsubishi

Platinum Sponsor – Space Coast Credit Union

Gold Sponsors - Duke Energy, Publix Super Markets Charities, Volusia Sheriff’s Office and Volusia United Educators (VUE)

Silver Sponsors - Diana Health and Dr. Robert & Candace Lankford

Bronze Sponsors – Indigo Dental, JPB Consulting, Leonard’s Photography, NAACP Daytona Beach, VASA - Volusia Association of School Administrators and VCCPTA – Volusia County Council of PTAs

In-Kind Sponsors – Dean Stewart Photography, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Herff Jones Co., Jostens Inc., MBI Direct Mail, Nina B. Hollis Institute for Educational Reform at Stetson University, Simply Roses and Wishworks Media

FUTURES Legacy Club Member – Addition Financial

FUTURES Regent's Club Members – Cobb Cole, Daytona International Speedway, Duke Energy, Florida Health Care Plans, Florida Power & Light, Indian Mound Fish Camp, Intracoastal Bank, Launch Credit Union, Gerald and Kay Luttrell, Rue & Ziffra and SouthState Bank

FUTURES Chancellor's Club Members – Cici & Hyatt Brown, Coloni Family Foundation, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Foundation Risk Partners, Abel Viteri & team at Equitable, Scorpio Community Centered Construction, Synergy Billing, Dr. Rosaria Upchurch, Ph.D., LMFT, VyStar Credit Union, Sam & Barbara Willett and Zev Cohen & Associates