Since the Teacher of the Year program began in 1968, Polk is proud to have twelve teachers become finalists for Florida's Teacher of the Year. Three of them won the title and one became a U.S. finalist.
| TEACHER | SCHOOL | YEAR |
| Michelle Dinwiddle | Lake Gibson Senior High | 2018 |
| Lois Horn-Diaz | R. Bruce Wagner Elementary | 2017 |
| Jessica Solano | Highlands Grove Elementary | 2016 |
| Adam Smith | Frank E. Brigham Academy | 2015 |
| Christie Bassett | Highlands Grove Elementary (State Winner) | 2014 |
| Virginia Watkins | Purcell Elementary | 2013 |
| Linda Robinson | Winter Haven High | 2012 |
| Linda Brett | R. Bruce Wagner Elementary | 2011 |
| Wendi Wooddell | Winter Haven High | 2010 |
| Ruth Teets | Purcell Elementary | 2009 |
| Danny Whittenton | Kathleen High (State Finalist) | 2008 |
| Kristen Wells | Carlton Palmore Elementary | 2007 |
| Diane Plowden | Winter Haven High | 2006 |
| Samuel Bennett | Garner Elementary (State Winner, U.S. Finalist) | 2005 |
| Janice Gilchrest | Griffin Elementary (State Finalist) | 2004 |
| Antionette Wilcox | Union Academy | 2003 |
| Judy Moore | Valleyview Elementary | 2002 |
| Dana Kelly | Southwest Elementary | 2001 |
| Jennifer Cayer | Southwest Elementary | 2000 |
| Lois DeRosa | Southwest Elementary (State Finalist) | 1999 |
| Paula Leftwich | Southwest Elementary (State Finalist) | 1998 |
| Odessa Johnson | Polk Life & Learning | 1997 |
| Rosalind Michele Hill | Highland City Elementary | 1996 |
| Rhea McKinney | Lakeland Highlands Middle School | 1995 |
| Sandra Brooks | Scott Lake Elementary | 1994 |
| Barbara Stephens | Valleyview Elementary | 1993 |
| Linda Fasel | Hillcrest Elementary | 1992 |
| Lonnie Smith | Lake Gibson High | 1991 |
| Carolyn Williams | Mulberry High | 1990 |
| Lynda Black | Bartow High | 1989 |
| Janet Williams | Winter Haven High (State Finalist) | 1988 |
| Ann Tankson | Ridge Vo-Tech (State Finalist) | 1987 |
| Linda Guest | Floral Avenue Elementary | 1986 |
| Elsie Durrance | Lakeland Highlands Junior High | 1985 |
| John Carmichael | Lakeland High | 1984 |
| Evelyn Laurent | Bartow High | 1983 |
| Dorothy Perry | Ridge Vo-Tech | 1982 |
| Beth Johnson | Kathleen High (State Winner) | 1981 |
| Ed Vetter | Kathleen High (State Finalist) | 1980 |
| Nell Thrift | Lakeland High | 1979 |
| Bill Strouse | Denison Junior High (State Finalist) | 1978 |
| Regena Berg | Oscar Pope Elementary | 1977 |
| Hazel Miller | Westwood Junior High | 1976 |
| Frank Satchel Jr. | Mulberry High | 1975 |
| Ruth Wolfe | Winter Haven High | 1974 |
| Evelyn Laurent | Bartow High | 1973 |
| Richard Lewis | Southwest Junior High | 1972 |
| Barbara Bishop | Polk Avenue Elementary | 1971 |
| Robert Fisher | Haines City High | 1970 |
| Thomas Bishop | Lake Wales High | 1969 |
| Robert Fisher | Haines City High | 1969 |
| Robert Fisher | Haines City High (State Finalist) | 1968 |