First 'Thank a Teacher' award for 2025-26 school year presented
Ocala, FL — HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC), are excited to announce Rebecca Koloszy of Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School in Ocala as the first recipient of the “Thank a Teacher” award for the 2025-26 school year.
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital CEO Alan Keesee recognized Koloszy during an event at the school on Sept. 29. Also in attendance were Marion County School Board Chairwoman Lori Conrad, school board member Allison Campbell, Ph.D., interim Superintendent Danielle Brewer, Ed.D., PEFMC Executive Director Meghan Magamoll, and other foundation members and school faculty.
“HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital are excited to launch ‘Thank a Teacher’ for the 2025-26 school year, and Rebecca is an excellent choice to kick off the renewal of this program,” Keesee said. “She is well known as a staunch advocate for her students, which aligns with our purpose for ‘Thank a Teacher’: to recognize outstanding educators who work hard to improve the lives of their students and the school community.”
The nomination for Koloszy, an Inclusion teacher at the school, noted, “Thank you for fighting for those that can't.”
“As we move into year two of the ‘Thank a Teacher’ campaign with HCA Florida Healthcare, we are excited to amplify the message of the importance of showing appreciation to teachers,” Magamoll said. “Thanks to HCA Florida Healthcare, we all can have a voice and share gratitude for the educators who are impacting students’ lives each and every day. We invite everyone to participate in thanking a teacher each month. A simple ‘thank you’ can work magic in building a supportive and appreciative community around those who dedicate their lives to education.”
“Thank a Teacher” will recognize a new educator each month throughout the 2025-26 school year. Students, families, and staff members of Marion County Public Schools are encouraged to submit nominations that share stories about the overall positive impact their favorite teachers have had on them and their respective schools.
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.