HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC), are thrilled to announce Barbara Smith, a second-grade teacher at Anthony Elementary School in Anthony, as the final recipient of the “Thank a Teacher” award for the 2025-26 school year.
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital Chief Executive Officer Alan Keesee presented the award to Smith, known affectionately within the school community as “Mrs. Bee,” during an event at the school on May 27. Also in attendance were Marion County School Board Vice Chairwoman Lori Conrad, Marion County Public Schools Superintendent Danielle Brewer, PEFMC Executive Director Meghan Magamoll, Smith’s family, and other representatives of the school district, the foundation, and school faculty.
“We are happy to recognize Mrs. Bee for the loving guidance and devotion she provides her students each day,” said Keesee. “During this school year, it’s been our pleasure to meet and honor so many incredible teachers like Mrs. Bee, and we look forward to continuing ‘Thank a Teacher’ next year to recognize stellar teachers who make a major difference in the lives of their students and school communities.”
Smith, the “Thank a Teacher” recipient for May, was nominated by a student’s parent. “Mrs. Bee is so awesome. She goes above and beyond for my daughter. She loves her like she is her own. Anytime she is having trouble or just not having her best day, she goes out of her way to help her and to make her feel better,” the nomination said. “In this world that we’re living in now, it is such a blessing to be able to send your child to school and know that the person that is in charge of watching over them cares about them the way Mrs. Bee does. She truly deserves recognition. Love her so much.”
“We are immensely grateful to HCA Florida Healthcare for their generous partnership and steadfast support of the ‘Thank A Teacher’ initiative throughout the entire school year. Their commitment to celebrating educators has allowed us to shine an even brighter spotlight on the teaching profession and the extraordinary impact teachers like Mrs. Bee make in the lives of students,” said Magamoll. “During this school year, we have pored over hundreds of heartfelt nominations from students, parents, and community members for deserving educators across our district. It’s clear that what began as a simple message to ‘thank a teacher’ has grown into a powerful community-wide celebration of gratitude. We are excited to continue building on this momentum alongside HCA Florida Healthcare in the upcoming school year and look forward to uplifting even more outstanding teachers together.”
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, and the PEFMC present the “Thank a Teacher” award for each month of the 2025-26 school year. Winning educators are nominated by students, families, or staff members of Marion County Public Schools who call attention to the teachers’ devotion to education and the overall positive impact they have on their students and school communities.
Learn more about the “Thank a Teacher” program and the nomination process. Teachers selected for recognition will receive $250 and a special email containing those heartfelt messages submitted with their nomination.