The School District of Lee County is excited to announce that Linda Buckley, Principal at Tanglewood Elementary School, is the 2026 Principal of the Year. Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin, Board members, District administrators, and Tanglewood staff surprised Buckley with the award this morning. She will go on to represent the School District of Lee County in the Florida Department of Education’s Principal of the Year competition.
“I know my why,” Buckley said in accepting her award. “My why is kids and I have an amazing team that I am honored to work with to make a difference in kids’ lives every day. I’m deeply honored and very appreciative of this award.”
Under Ms. Buckley’s leadership, Tanglewood Elementary has become a model of growth, empowerment, and unity. Over the past decade, she has fostered a culture where every student and educator are recognized as a leader, anchored in the Leader in Me framework, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and a deep commitment to teacher collaboration.
This shared vision has led to exceptional results, including an “A” school grade in 2024–2025. Beyond academic success, Tanglewood students demonstrate confidence, responsibility, and compassion, while teachers lead with purpose and collegiality. Together, Ms. Buckley and her team have built not only a high-performing school but a thriving community where every child is inspired to learn, lead, and succeed.
“With four decades of distinguished service, Ms. Buckley exemplifies outstanding leadership, student achievement, and community engagement,” said Jessica Hering, Dean of Student Discipline at Tanglewood Elementary . “She consistently elevates student success by fostering a culture of academic rigor and continuous professional growth among staff. Through data-driven instruction and targeted interventions, she ensures every student is challenged and supported to reach their full potential, as documented by this year's increase to an A grade.”
Harns Marsh Middle School Assistant Principal Samantha Hower is the 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year. Over the past seven years, she has helped transform Harns Marsh Middle through strong community partnerships, targeted academic supports, and an unwavering focus on safety, character, and achievement. Her data-driven leadership has produced record-high academic performance, including significant gains in math, science, and subgroup achievement. At the same time, discipline incidents have decreased by more than two-thirds, and teacher retention has risen dramatically.
“I did not do this alone,” Hower said when surprised with her award. “I have an exquisite team working with me, and Mr. Dworzanski, I couldn’t ask for a better mentor or boss. This was not expected, but I am extremely grateful.
Ms. Hower was the School District’s Teacher of the Year in 2019. She transferred to Harns Marsh Middle and was promoted to Assistant Principal in 2023. She is the second Assistant Principal of the Year from Harns Marsh Middle School in four years.
“Under Ms. Hower’s leadership, math achievement rose above district averages, while discipline incidents dropped,” said Harns Marsh Middle School Principal Alex Dworzanksi. “She has improved every process in our school, from data-driven instruction and mentoring to PBIS, to recognition programs and community partnerships, leading to our highest school grade in history, along with increasing staff retention so we had zero vacancies to start the year.”
School administrators, employees, students, and members of the community nominated deserving principals and assistant principals. Nominated administrators then submitted a writing task which was reviewed by a committee of stakeholders to select the award recipient.
Ms. Buckley and Ms. Hower will be recognized by the School Board as Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year at an upcoming meeting. Florida’s Department of Education will announce the finalists and winners of the state Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year next spring.
The School District of Lee County would like to thank Suncoast Credit Union for sponsoring the Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year recognitions.