At The Ruth Law Team, we believe that giving back to our community means more than just fighting for justice in the courtroom — it means recognizing the everyday heroes who shape lives, one student at a time. That is the heart of our Teaming Up with Teachers program, and each month, we have the privilege of celebrating educators whose dedication, compassion, and creativity are nothing short of extraordinary.
Below you will find our 2026 award recipients — teachers who go above and beyond every single day for their students. We are honored to shine a light on each of them.
🍎 Ashley Sevilla — Heart, Hustle & Whole-Hearted Dedication
Attorney Vazquez recently visited High Point Elementary to present the Teaming Up with Teachers award for April to Ashley Sevilla — a teacher whose passion for her students is felt every single day, inside the classroom and far beyond it.
Mrs. Sevilla was nominated by her husband, who had this to say:
“Ashley loves her students and will do anything to enrich their days. She spends hours after school working on materials and lesson plans, etc. She also spends a lot of money on supplies for school (our Amazon account can attest to this). Please consider my wife as a deserving candidate for this award. Thank you!”
What makes this nomination so meaningful is the person behind it — a spouse who sees firsthand the time, energy, and personal investment Ashley pours into her students every week. The extra hours, the lesson prep, the supplies purchased out of her own pocket — these are the quiet sacrifices great teachers make without hesitation, and without recognition. We are glad to change that.
Ashley Sevilla is exactly the kind of educator our Teaming Up with Teachers program was built to celebrate.
February and March 2026 Winners
Attorney Vazquez recently traveled to Nina Harris Exceptional Student Education Center in Pinellas County to personally present the Teaming Up with Teachers award for February and March. What she found there left a lasting impression.
In Her Own Words
On Tuesday, I presented the Teaming Up with Teachers award for February and March to two very deserving teachers at Nina Harris Exceptional Student Education Center. This school and its teachers are truly remarkable. They provide education for students requiring different levels of support academically (communication, OT, PT and Vision), medically, and/or behaviorally.
Nina Harris Exceptional Student Education Center serves students from ages 3 to 21 who require specialized academic, medical, and behavioral support. The dedicated staff there work tirelessly every single day to ensure that every student — regardless of ability — has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. It is precisely the kind of school and community our program was created to celebrate.
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🎵 Julia LaPierre — Music, Miracles & Unbreakable Spirit
Julia LaPierre is the sole music teacher at Nina Harris ESE Center, serving students aged 3 through 21 — many of whom face severe mental and physical disabilities. She not only teaches music, but also directs the school band and coaches the cheerleading squad. She was recently named Rookie Teacher of the Year, and her talent show this past year drew widespread admiration from the entire school community.
Julia received multiple heartfelt nominations, each one a testament to the profound impact she has had on her students and colleagues:
“Ms. LaPierre is an excellent teacher that goes above and beyond to help her students. Along with teaching music she directs band and cheerleading for the school. She recently received rookie teacher of the year and has done a stellar job at this past year’s talent show. Everyone is so amazed at the work she has done and I believe she deserves recognition for the lives she’s changed.”
“She is the only music teacher at this special needs school. The children (aged 3-21) are severely mentally and physically disabled. She reaches these students through music when no one else could or worse had written off. She performs miracles daily in a position no one wanted to take but she did.”
“Julia is absolutely a wonderful teacher and her students love learning from her. Her students are blessed to have her.”
What strikes us most about Julia’s story is not just her talent, but her courage. She stepped into a role others had passed over and turned it into something life-changing. Through the universal language of music, she connects with students in a way that transcends traditional barriers to learning — and she does it every single day.
💛 Kristin Hill — Patient, Purposeful & Deeply Devoted
Kristin Hill works with some of the most severely disabled high school students in Pinellas County. A veteran educator known for her patience, warmth, and methodical approach, Kristin individualizes every lesson to match each student’s unique communication style and learning needs. She doesn’t just teach — she truly knows her students.
Her nominations paint the picture of a teacher who gives her whole self to her work:
“Kristin goes above & beyond working hard to give each of Her Students the opportunity, & proper adaptive, equipment, & assistive technology devices so They can learn, & be engaged in lessons. She also makes the Classroom, & lessons fun along with sticking to the curriculum. Kristin also lends a hand to new Teachers when They have questions, or need advice. She also helps out with Special Events, & doesn’t hesitate to join a committee that benefits the Students, Staff, & School.”
“Kristin Hill is a hardworking teacher of students with disabilities. She pours her heart into her students. She works with them both individually and as a group and knows exactly how to get each of her students engaged in learning activities including both educational and daily living skills. She encourages each student to try their best. She is also always willing to help colleagues with challenges they may be facing in their classroom.”
“Ms. Hill teaches some of the more severely disabled high school students in Pinellas County. She is patient, kind, caring and all in when it comes to her students. She gets to know each one to find out how they communicate and then uses that info to increase their communication skills throughout the year. She learns their preferred learning style and individualizes lessons to each student’s specific style and needs. She goes above and beyond every day to make sure her students reach their goals and achieve academic success.”
Kristin exemplifies what it means to meet a student where they are. Her ability to learn each child’s unique communication method and adapt her teaching accordingly is a rare and invaluable gift — one that is clearly recognized and deeply appreciated by her students, their families, and her fellow educators.
About the Teaming Up with Teachers Program
The Teaming Up with Teachers initiative is The Ruth Law Team’s ongoing commitment to honoring Florida educators who go above and beyond for their students. Each month, we accept nominations from the community and present deserving teachers with an award, recognition, and gifts as a small token of our immense gratitude.
Teachers like Julia LaPierre and Kristin Hill remind us why this program matters. They show up — every day — for students who need them most. They innovate, they advocate, they inspire. And they do it not for accolades, but because they genuinely love their students.
Do you know a teacher who deserves to be celebrated? Nominate them today(opens in a new tab) and help us shine a light on the educators who are changing lives.
