Brittany Rudolph-Montgomery, a teacher at The Villages Charter School in Sumter County, was named one of four recipients of the 2026 Black History Month Excellence in Education Award during a special reception at the Florida Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee.

The award is part of Florida’s annual Black History Month Art, Essay and Educator Contests, a collaborative initiative between the Florida Department of Education, Volunteer Florida, the Florida Lottery and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Each Excellence in Education Award winner received a $2,500 monetary recognition provided by the Volunteer Florida Foundation.

Brittany was nominated by members of her school community and joined three other educators across the state selected for the honor: Omega Mothersill of Auburndale High School in Polk County, Yanetta Smith of Pedro Menendez High School in St. Johns County and Francis Thomas of Renaissance Charter School at Chickasaw Trail in Orange County.

During the event, Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas praised the participants for their dedication to learning and teaching.

“Florida students once again amazed me with the quality of their art and essay submissions and the educators showed their commitment and dedication to their students,” he says. “I am pleased that so many took this opportunity to learn about Black history and send my congratulations to the winners.”

Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo echoed that sentiment, saying the contest highlights the impact educators and students have in preserving and sharing important stories.

“We are incredibly proud to recognize these outstanding students and educators whose creativity and dedication bring the stories of Black history to life in meaningful ways,” she says. “Their work not only honors the past, but also inspires a spirit of service, leadership and unity that will shape Florida’s future for generations to come.”

For Brittany, the recognition was both humbling and deeply meaningful.

In a message shared following the ceremony, she expressed gratitude to the people who supported her journey as an educator.

“I had the incredible honor of being invited to the Florida Governor’s Mansion to receive the Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis Black History Month Excellence in Education Award,” she says. “I am deeply grateful to my amazing family for their unwavering love and support, and to my principal, colleagues and students who nominated me for this prestigious recognition.”

She also reflected on the path that brought her to the classroom.

“I remain humbled and in awe of how God continues to bless this small-town Alabama girl with meaningful opportunities, despite the challenges I’ve faced,” she says. “My people never gave up on me and I will never give up on the students I serve. To God be the glory.”