When the Florida Power & Light Company EmPOWERing STEM Educators grant was announced, the vision was clear: invest in teachers through peer-led professional learning to strengthen STEM instruction statewide. Just months into implementation, that vision is already becoming reality in 19 school districts across Florida. While each county’s approach reflects local needs, a shared theme is emerging: teachers learn best from one another.
Across the state, educators are engaging in learning walks, lesson studies, peer observations, and teacher-led workshops that focus squarely on instructional practice—not compliance. In Collier County, teachers have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to observe fellow science educators, reflect together on lesson implementation, and intentionally connect science content with real-world STEM applications. DeSoto County echoed this, identifying peer observations as a critical step in improving instructional quality and standards alignment.
Several districts are seeing especially strong engagement when professional learning is authentic and classroom connected. Broward County noted that teachers value opportunities to bring students into the learning experience, elevating engagement for both teachers and learners. Brevard County leveraged exemplary science teachers as peer leaders, making it easier to identify model classrooms and creating an environment where newer teachers felt comfortable, supported, and
eager to grow.
In Indian River County, the work is both deep and deliberate. Sixth-grade math teachers, recognized as a pivotal point for long-term success, are participating in
structured lesson studies focused on solving equations and the Cartesian Coordinate Plane. Teachers planned together, taught in one another’s classrooms, debriefed student responses, and refined instruction before returning to their own schools. As one district leader noted, all ten teachers valued the collegiality and sharing of ideas, which is a hallmark of effective professional learning.
Other counties are demonstrating how peer-led models can scale. Martin County engaged twenty math teachers in teacher led “Building Thinking Classrooms” training, followed by classroom observations to support implementation. Palm Beach County is midway through a series of site visits that will provide hands-on coaching and sustained support across seven schools. This year, the St. Johns County School District’s Math Team asked Investing in Kids to expand the peer-to-peer program to include rookie math educators to help them feel comfortable with state math certification tests for teachers, to strengthen math instruction in critical middle school years.
While the approaches vary, the outcome is consistent: teachers are more connected, more reflective, and more confident in their instructional practice. This is what meaningful professional learning looks like—grounded in classrooms, led by educators, and focused on student learning.
Thanks to Florida Power & Light Company’s investment, the EmPOWERing STEM Educators program is already demonstrating that peer learning is not just professional development—it’s a catalyst for lasting instructional improvement across Florida’s STEM classrooms.
