Educator of the Year

Leola Horton is a native Floridian born in Clewiston, Florida. She is the eldest of 3 siblings. Leola has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Bethune Cookman College, Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon and MBA from Nova Southeastern University. Leola has been employed by the Palm Beach County School District for over 28 years.

Currently, Leola is a member of the administrative leadership team at Boynton Beach Community High School. She is an educator and leader committed to collaborative learning that engages students, staff, families and the community. She has dedicated herself to becoming a life-long educator and learner, and she strives to instill a similar desire in all of the students, teachers, and families with whom she works with at school, church, the community, and her sorority’s youth groups.

Leola has mentored and tutored at “Program Reach”, a family homeless shelter for the past 19 years and continues to provide life skills training and educational support to the children and families.

She’s a member of Lake Worth Church of God where she has served as the Sunday School Superintendent and Christian Education Coordinator providing quarterly educational workshops to middle and high school students since 2009. She was honored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Delta Epsilon Zeta Chapter as Zeta of the Year in 2011 and 2021, and Teacher of the Year at Watson B. Duncan Middle School in 2011.

Leola is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Order of Eastern Star Faith Chapter #148 where she has served as the Chaplain since 2014.

Leola currently serves as the treasurer and scholarship chairperson for The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Charmettes of Palm Beach County since 2018 and 1st Vice-President and scholarship chairperson for the Pearls of Ruth Foundation, Inc. She has mentored and assisted with scholarship opportunities to high school girls who have lost their mothers since 2014. Leola continues to work hard to support and serve her community.

In addition, she serves as the President of Delta Epsilon Zeta Chapter from 2020 to present. Within her involvement with these organizations, she has been able to contribute to the community through educational enhancement, workshops, tutorial opportunities, and scholarships. Leola strives to be an asset to her community through all that she does.