Hillcrest earns “Triple Crown”
Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year are all from same Ocala school.
Zanita Hendry, Marion County’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. [Photo courtesy MCPS]
For what is believed by officials to be the first time in the 157-year history Marion County Public Schools, three people at one school have earned top honors.
On Jan. 30, Zanita Hendry, the art teacher at Hillcrest School in Ocala, was named Marion County’s 2026 Teacher of the Year during the 36th annual Golden Apple Gala at the Reilly Arts Center.
Last December, Hillcrest’s Lori Manresa was named home of Principal of the Year and Stephanie Stephens was named Rookie Teacher of the Year.
“Hendry’s win solidifies a single school’s Triple Crown win for all three top honors, believed to be the first time in MCPS’ 157-year history,” noted MCPS Director of Public Relations Kevin Christian in a news release.
According to its website, Hillcrest School provides educational and training programs for students with significant disabilities in grades 6-12. The programs for exceptional students (ESE) are primarily designed to serve moderate to profound cognitive disabilities and students exhibiting autism spectrum disorders. The Marion County School Board operates Hillcrest School, a unique separate day school, and extends enrollment to all eligible Marion County residents.
Hendry is a graduate of Dunnellon High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in education and social/behavioral science from the University of Central Florida. She was the 2023 Florida Adaptive Arts Educator of the Year.
“I am still in shock and elated over all that Hillcrest has accomplished. I’m incredibly honored to be named Teacher of the Year for our district, especially alongside the remarkable recognition of our school as the ‘Triple Crown’ winner. Standing with our principal of the year, Lori Manresa, and our Rookie Teacher of the Year, Stephanie Stephens, is a night I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Hendry wrote to the “Gazette” via email.
“This achievement reflects the passion, dedication and creativity of our entire Hillcrest team. I’m lucky to have an amazingly supportive paraprofessional and together we strive to empower our students with special needs through the arts, fostering an inclusive and fun learning environment where every student knows their creative contributions matter. The resilience and creativity displayed by my students motivate and inspire me daily, reminding me that, ‘To try is everything.’ I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such talented and caring individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of our students. Here’s to many more successful years ahead, filled with growth, increased opportunities and continued advocacy for our incredible students,” Hendry wrote.
“Winning Principal of the Year alongside both Stephanie Stephens, Rookie Teacher of the Year, and Zanita Hendry, Teacher of the Year, is an incredible honor, but not just for us. This honor is for our entire school community,” Manresa wrote, also via email.
“I have been blessed to serve as an administrator at Hillcrest for 25 years, with a total of 36 years in education. Working with special needs students has always been a personal calling for me, and I am so fortunate to work with a team that shares that same passion and belief. This recognition belongs to an extraordinary team that believes in putting students first ALWAYS! Together, we brought our students to the forefront and showcased their abilities in ways others may not have thought possible. My philosophy of education is simple…if you love children, I can teach you to do the rest,” Manresa stated.
“I am beyond proud to serve alongside such a dedicated team of educators and to celebrate what can happen when students are seen, valued and believed in. This team is truly a family, and we share this Triple Crown victory with each and every one of them. Hillcrest is my heart!” she continued.
Stephens also replied to the “Gazette” via email.
“I will always remember how special this year’s Golden Apple Gala was. I am incredibly honored to be named our district’s Rookie Teacher of the Year and to stand alongside our outstanding Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year. To have all three of us recognized in the same year is not a coincidence — it is a reflection of the culture at Hillcrest. When leadership, teachers and support staff work together with a shared vision, incredible things happen for students. I view this recognition as a reflection of the incredible school community I am fortunate to be part of,” Stephens wrote.
“I am especially grateful that this moment helps bring greater awareness to the students we serve at Hillcrest. I do not take the opportunity to shine a light on our students lightly. Our work is centered on seeing each student for who they are, honoring their abilities and helping them build independence and confidence in meaningful ways. This work matters because when we invest in our students, we invest in a stronger, more compassionate community,” Stephens offered.
“My everyday mission is to celebrate progress, meet students where they are and guide them toward becoming the best version of themselves — one meaningful step at a time. Our students remind me daily that progress comes in many forms and each step forward is worth celebrating. It is a privilege to be part of their journey, and I am proud to represent Hillcrest and the incredible students who inspire us every single day,” she shared.
In mid-December 2025, Hendry was recognized during the annual Golden Apple caravan, along with several others.
The Public Education Foundation of Marion County orchestrates the Golden Apple Teacher Recognition Program and honors one new teacher as the Rookie Teacher of the Year and another worker as the District’s School-Related Employee of the Year. An entourage that included Interim Superintendent of Schools Danielle Brewer, Marion County School Board members, foundation Executive Director Meghan Magamoll and others surprised the recipients during the caravan.
The other teacher honorees were Phyllis Hodges, Maplewood Elementary; William Lockley, North Marion Middle School; Adjahnae Piner, Vanguard High School; and Jamesha Gilliam, West Port High; along with Stephanie Bulla, Anthony Elementary, the School-Related Employee of the Year.
As the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year, Hendry, an 11-year veteran of MCPS, received a three-year pre-paid lease on a new 2026 Genesis G70 automobile from Jenkins Auto Group, the presenting sponsor of the event.
This year’s Golden Apple Gala showcased all-star choir of musical students at all grade levels from 18 MCPS schools who performed “Unwritten” as a tribute to local educators. A “chapters” theme tied different program portions together, culminating with a mindset of “the best is still unwritten.” Saturday night’s event was sold out and record-breaking in terms of attendance, Christian noted.
To learn more, go to pefmc.org
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