Operation K12

Teacher: Dan Trembley

School: Dunbar High School

County: Lee

Introducing Dan Trembley, a true educational trailblazer in Lee County! Since 2005, Dan has been a founding force behind the Academy for Technology Excellence at Dunbar High School, instrumental in shaping the future of information and cybersecurity professionals. His visionary approach empowers students to earn prestigious professional credentials before graduating high school. Beyond the standard Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite certifications, Dan’s protégés have achieved impressive credentials from top industry leaders such as Certiport, Cisco, CompTIA, IBM, and Microsoft.

As a distinguished National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy graduate, Dan holds a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity from the esteemed JB Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville. His expertise and dedication have earned h   im accolades from renowned organizations like the Texas Computer Educators Association, Microsoft EduCon, and the International Society for Technology in Education. Dan’s commitment to excellence has also made him a 2025 Cyber.org Educator of the Year finalist. We are immensely proud of Dan’s invaluable contributions to cybersecurity education and his profound impact on students across Florida!

Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!

Teacher: Jim Brockman

School: Plant High School

County: Hillsborough

Meet Jim Brockman, a fantastic teacher at Plant High School in Hillsborough County. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Jim has been a passionate educator since the start of his career. After teaching in Ohio and Kentucky, he moved to Tampa, Florida, in 2005 to join Jefferson High School, where his dedication to teaching and student success quickly stood out.

In 2010, he joined Strawberry Crest High School to lead the IB Physics program, playing a key role in shaping the school’s academic environment. Now in his fourth year at Plant High, Jim has expanded his expertise to include computer science and cybersecurity, pioneering the integration of advanced technology into the curriculum.

His contributions to curriculum development in Hillsborough County Public Schools are significant—he has written state course descriptions and exam content. Beyond academics, Jim has coached various extracurricular teams and founded Tampa’s first high school rowing club.

Embracing the opportunity to teach cybersecurity, Jim sees it as a modern solution to the decline of vocational programs, offering students both immediate job prospects and pathways to further education.

Outside the classroom, Jim is also an accomplished musician and a founding member of the band Dads of Lore, showcasing his diverse talents and dedication to enriching lives.

Jim Brockman’s career exemplifies his commitment to education and innovative teaching. He has made a lasting impact on students and the broader educational community.

Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!

Teacher: Bettina McCormick

School: Boone High School

County: Orange

Meet Bettina McCormick! Bettina is a dedicated educator in Orange County, where she teaches AP computer science principles and digital multimedia at Boone High School in Orlando, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of Central Florida and was part of the first graduating class for UCF’s Computer Forensics Graduate Certification program.

Before transitioning to K-12 education, Bettina worked for many years as a programmer analyst in the industry. She is passionate about introducing students to computer science and cybersecurity, helping to prepare them for careers in our growing cyber-related economy. We are grateful for her contributions to the cybersecurity field!

Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!

Teacher: Christine Ackerman

School: Middleburg High School

County: Clay

Meet Christine Ackerman, a trailblazer in education! With 18 years of teaching experience, including the last five at Middleburg High School, Christine has transformed the Digital Information Technology curriculum. She pioneered a groundbreaking coding class, laying the foundation for her AP Computer Science Principles course leadership. Under her guidance, the class grew from just four students to an impressive 48. Today, Christine expertly navigates the fields of CSIT, exploring Device Configuration, Networking, and Cybersecurity.

Driven by a passion for bringing cutting-edge opportunities to her rural school, she opens doors to futures her students never thought possible. Last year, she proudly led 15 students to the CyberLaunch event in Orlando and eagerly awaits another inspiring journey this year.

Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!

Teacher: Lorraine Grice

School: Orange County Technical College

County: Orange

Meet Lorraine Grice, one of the exceptional teachers at Orange County Technical College! With over 35 years of dedicated service in Orange County Public Schools, Lorraine continues to defy burnout by embracing the ever-changing world of Information Technology with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Her journey began with the familiar clatter of a Royal Manual Typewriter, evolving into a dynamic career teaching Enterprise Desktop and Mobile Support Technology to high school students. Lorraine’s passion for technology and education is truly inspiring. She thrives on the challenge of equipping students with the critical cyber knowledge they need for the future.

Join us in celebrating Lorraine’s remarkable contributions and her unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and student success!

Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!

Teacher: Amber Jones

School: Port St. Joe High School

County: Gulf

Amber Jones is an outstanding teacher in Gulf County, Florida. Amber is a dynamic force in cybersecurity education at Port St. Joe High School with 15 years of experience. As the technology teacher for grades 8 through 12, she brings innovation to life through her courses in digital information technology, gaming, and yearbook. Beyond the classroom, she leads as the eSports coach for both junior high and high school, inspires as the girls weightlifting coach, and guides as the senior class sponsor.

Amber’s impressive academic journey includes a degree in business information technology from Troy University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University. At home, she is a devoted mother to two wonderful daughters. Her husband plays a pivotal role at Port St. Joe High School as the athletic director and head coach for football, girls weightlifting, and softball.

Next year, Amber plans to bring her students to CyberLaunch 2025 to show off their skills and compete for some really cool prizes! We are so grateful for Amber’s contributions to both the students in Florida and the field of cybersecurity education!

Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!

Teacher: Tina Vieira

School: Nature Coast Technical High School

County: Hernando

With 19 years of dedicated experience in Hernando County Schools, Tina Vieira has made a remarkable impact on education. Throughout her career, Tina has taught multiple subjects, served as a district writing coach and ESOL compliance specialist, and helped develop new computer science standards in collaboration with the Department of Education.

Driven by her commitment to technology education, Tina transitioned to computer science and now leads a range of technology courses at Nature Coast Technical High School. Her influence goes beyond the classroom, as she also trains educators across Florida, helping shape the future of computer science education statewide.

Tina’s passion for empowering students shines through in her words: “Seeing kids learn skills that are not only in high demand but will also set them up for a successful future is incredibly rewarding for me.” Her dedication to fostering student growth and success is evident in her students’ involvement in cyber competitions.

Beyond her professional achievements, Tina enjoys spending time on the water with her family.

Her commitment to cybersecurity education and student success is truly commendable. Thank you, Tina, for your invaluable contributions!

Would you like to be featured in our Teacher Spotlight? To nominate yourself or another deserving teacher, complete the interest form below!