Hale Law has announced the opening of nominations for its 2026 Hale Helps™ Teacher of the Year award, a program designed to recognize outstanding K-12 educators across Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. The nomination period runs from March 1 through March 29, 2026, and the winning teacher will receive a free cruise valued at $1,000, courtesy of Expedia Cruises of Sarasota.
The Teacher of the Year award is a key component of Hale Law's broader Hale Helps™ community initiative, which also includes an annual scholarship program and a back-to-school backpack giveaway for local students. According to the firm, the campaign provides a direct way for parents, students, fellow educators, and community members to honor teachers who make a lasting impact in their classrooms and schools.
To nominate a teacher, individuals must visit halelaw.com and complete an online nomination form. The form requires the nominator's 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, and the deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on March 29, 2026.
After nominations close, Hale Law will verify the totals and select the five eligible teachers with the highest number of verified nominations as finalists. These finalists will be announced on April 7, 2026. Public online voting will then take place from April 7 through April 26, 2026. Following vote verification and compliance review, the 2026 Hale Helps™ Teacher of the Year will be announced on April 28, 2026.
The winning teacher will receive 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 build on its growing success, recognizing local educators for their excellence in the classroom. The program reflects Hale Law's ongoing commitment to supporting students, families, and educators throughout Southwest Florida. In addition to the Teacher of the Year award, 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.
Hale Law, founded in 2018, is a Sarasota-based personal injury firm representing individuals and families across Southwest Florida in matters involving motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, and wrongful death. The firm operates eight regional offices and represents clients on a contingency fee basis.
