TAVARES -- Lisa Bryant, an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher at Lake Minneola High 
School, is the district’s newly named Teacher of the Year. The honor was announced at a celebration dinner hosted by the Education Foundation of Lake County last week.
She leads a transition work study program for students ages 18 to 22 who have profound disabilities and have deferred their diplomas to work on life skills, vocational skills and school based enterprises. She also serves as the co-chair of the school’s ESE Department, Key Club advisor, and Special Olympics site coordinator.
She was inspired to become an educator after a friend’s son was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. The friend asked her to be a tutor, and she underwent training with a program director who was overseeing the 40 hours of therapy they wanted to start for him.
“It did not take long for me to realize I was exactly where I was supposed to be,” Bryant wrote in an essay as part of her Teacher of the Year application. “In time, I would take on another student and then another. … And I realized I was in a unique position to take what I had learned and become a public school educator.”
She returned to school, completed her degree and pursued a teaching certificate. Today, the Region 3 Transition Program that she leads offers students access to a range of post-secondary opportunities. It is designed for students who graduate with a diploma via Access Points, which “ensure access to the essence or core intent of the standards that apply to all students in the same grade, but at reduced levels of complexity,” according to the Florida Department of Education.
“Those still participating in their on-campus work-study program continue to develop career and life skills,” Bryant wrote in her application. “Those promoted to Project Search at South Lake Hospital are taking steps toward competitive employment.”
The program began in 2020-2021 with nine students and has grown to 31 students as of the beginning of this school year.
“We work daily on building independence, understanding social skills and communicating in a variety of settings,” she wrote. “We learn about jobs and practice skills aligned with those jobs. We have a school based enterprise that was featured on the news. We have a thriving Unified Special Olympics program. We have a school pantry which serves as an internship workspace. We meet each student where they are and encourage them.”
The signature project for the Transition Program is Coffee Cart, which provides daily food and beverage service on campus and gives the students hands-on work experience as they brainstorm menu items, take inventory, market the service, and prepare and deliver orders.
Bryant’s work impressed Lake Minneola High School Principal William Roberts, who gave her a glowing letter of recommendation for Teacher of the Year. “Lisa approaches her work with unparalleled dedication, ensuring that her students not only receive quality education, but are also equipped with the tools they need to thrive in life,” he wrote. “What stands out most is her unwavering belief in the potential of every student she teaches, no matter the challenges they face. She demonstrates immense patience, kindness, and an ability to connect with each student on a personal level, fostering an environment where they feel valued and capable.”
As Lake County’s Teacher of the Year, Bryant drove away with the grand prize, a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan from Jenkins Auto Group, along with prizes from Ernie Morris Enterprises, Jostens, Insight Credit Union, and other community partners. She will now compete at the state level for the title of Florida Teacher of the Year.
“Lisa Bryant’s work, passion and dedication make her the ideal candidate for the Lake County and State of Florida Teacher of the Year awards,” Roberts wrote. “She is an exceptional educator who has left an indelible mark on our school and community. I can say with full confidence that Lisa represents the very best of what it means to be a teacher and a leader.”
