500 Team Members Recognized With Nearly 5,000 Years of Combined Service

September 29, 2026

Florida Virtual School team members Kim Rugh, left, and LeAnn Flynn, right, celebrate 25 years of service during the organization's Annual Professional Learning Conference in Orlando.

More than 500 Florida Virtual School (FLVS) employees are marking service milestones in 2026, collectively representing nearly 5,000 years dedicated to supporting students and families through online learning. Each year, FLVS recognizes team members who reach significant career anniversaries and the contributions they have made to the organization.

The honorees include 243 team members reaching five years of service, 160 reaching 10 years, 88 reaching 15 years, 40 reaching 20 years, and two employees reaching an extraordinary 25 years with FLVS, a tenure that spans much of the organization's 29-year history.

"The employees recognized this year represent decades of knowledge, experience, and dedication that continue to strengthen our organization," said Katerina Alfaro-Lopez, senior director of Human Resources and Operations at FLVS. "Their contributions have helped shape our culture, support their colleagues, and make a lasting impact on the students and families we serve."

FLVS employs more than 3,900 educators, administrators, and support professionals across FLVS, FlexPoint, and Florida Scholars Academy, serving students and partners across Florida and beyond.

"Student success is made possible by the talented employees who bring expertise, passion, and dedication to their work every day," said Sam Verghese, president and CEO of FLVS. "Their commitment and service have helped shape educational experiences for students and families across Florida."

The employees recognized this year represent a wide range of roles across the organization, including teachers, school leaders, student support professionals, instructional staff, technology specialists, and operational teams. Together, they have helped shape educational experiences for generations of students and contributed to the continued growth and innovation of online learning.

Among this year's honorees, 40 employees celebrated 20 or more years of service with FLVS, including two employees who reached the milestone of 25 years with the organization:

• LeAnn Flynn, leadership skills and development instructor, has helped shape the evolution of online learning from its earliest days into the nationally recognized model it is today. A graduate of Florida State University and former middle school teacher in Pinellas County, she joined FLVS in 2001, drawn by the opportunity to be part of an innovative approach to education. Over the years, she has served in a variety of roles, including economics teacher, lead teacher, and leadership skills development instructor, helping students build the confidence and skills they need to succeed. Reflecting on her 25-year milestone, Flynn describes her FLVS experience in one word: purposeful. She believes true fulfillment comes from making a difference in the lives of others and being a light for students and colleagues every day.

• Kim Rugh, director of quality programs, joined FLVS in 2001 after teaching English at Edgewater High School in Orange County and embraced the opportunity to be part of an innovative new model for education. A graduate of the University of Florida, she began her career at FLVS as the school's sole English 2 instructor and has helped support the organization's growth from a small team that fit in a single meeting room to a nationally recognized leader in online education. Throughout 25 years of service, she has helped strengthen systems and support structures while keeping student success at the center of her work. Reflecting on the milestone, she said it has been a privilege to contribute to the growth of FLVS and expand opportunities for students and families. She describes her FLVS experience as joyful, citing both the meaningful impact of the work and the opportunity to collaborate with exceptional colleagues.

Collectively, this year's honorees represent nearly 5,000 years of service dedicated to supporting student success and strengthening the FLVS community.

Interested in joining the FLVS team? Visit the FLVS Careers webpage to learn more about career opportunities.

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