FWB High’s Lindsey Smith Named Florida’s Top Administrator for 2026
In Brief:
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Who: Fort Walton Beach High School Principal Lindsey Smith, Superintendent Marcus Chambers, Dr. Tavia Marez, and Jackie Sheffield -
What: Smith was named the 2026 Bill Montford Administrator of the Year -
When: Announced December 10, 2025 -
Where: Fort Walton Beach High School / Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee -
Why: For exceptional leadership and strong commitment to advancing STEM opportunities for students and teachers
Fort Walton Beach High School Principal Lindsey Smith has been selected as the 2026 Bill Montford Administrator of the Year—one of the top statewide honors for school leaders committed to advancing STEM education.
The award, created in 2023, is presented by the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee in partnership with the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA). It recognizes administrators who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to inspiring both students and staff through hands-on, future-focused learning.
As part of the honor, Smith will be able to choose a Fort Walton Beach High School class to travel to the Challenger Learning Center, where students will take part in an interactive STEM lab experience. The center, operated with support from the FSU and FAMU Colleges of Engineering, serves K–12 students from across the state with immersive programming designed to spark curiosity and deepen science and engineering skills.
Smith attended the award announcement alongside two of Fort Walton Beach High’s STEM leaders—science chair Dr. Tavia Marez and math chair Jackie Sheffield. She said the recognition reflects the hard work of the school’s teachers and the importance of preparing students for a rapidly changing world.
“STEM education and engagement are important not only to ensure we keep up with the ever-changing advancements in technology and engineering as a community, but, now more than ever, STEM education is essential to students’ understanding of the world around them,” Smith said. “I am proud of our STEM and CTE programming at Fort Walton Beach High School and the incredible content experts who pour into our students every day.”
Okaloosa County Superintendent Marcus Chambers applauded Smith’s leadership and called the award well deserved.
“Principal Smith is a tremendous leader whose passion for student achievement is evident in everything she does,” Chambers said. “Her commitment to expanding STEM opportunities and empowering both students and staff is exceptional. We are proud to have her representing Okaloosa County at the state level.”
More information about the Challenger Learning Center is available at https://www.challengertlh.com.
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