Lincoln Middle School Teacher Named Amazing Teacher
The local educator was recognized for her work leading chorus and theater programs for students in Gainesville.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Florida Credit Union has named Lincoln Middle School theater and chorus teacher Jackie Collins its Amazing Teacher of the Month. The recognition follows the recent 40-minute school production of The Crucical Musical Comedy, which Collins wrote alongside scriptwriter James Hales.
Why it matters
Local teaching accolades help highlight the academic and extracurricular successes within our school district, spotlighting the educators driving student achievement in the arts.
Teacher Jackie Collins has served in Alachua County middle schools for nine years and works daily with 150 students in the theater program. Junior Thespian Troupe 88521 recently achieved eight Superior ratings at the state festival.
The players
Jackie Collins
A Lincoln Middle School theater and chorus teacher who has worked in Alachua County schools for nine years.
Florida Credit Union
A local financial institution that sponsors an educator recognition program in partnership with The Gainesville Sun.
Junior Thespian Troupe 88521
The Lincoln Middle School theater group that earned eight Superior ratings at the 2026 state festival.
The details
Jackie Collins oversees both chorus and theater curriculum at Lincoln Middle School, managing daily instruction for 150 students. The theater program's success is bolstered by participation in the Florida Junior Thespian State Festival, where Troupe 88521 previously performed Mean Girls Jr. on the MainStage in 2025.
Timeline
2025: The theater troupe performed Mean Girls Jr. at the State Festival.
October 28, 2026: Students finished performing the original production of The Crucical Musical Comedy.
The Home Front
This award marks a continuation of success for Lincoln Middle School's arts program within the competitive framework of the Florida Junior Thespian State Festival. These local accolades reflect a broader trend of high-level student performance within the Alachua County school district.
Parents of students interested in the theater arts can look into the extracurricular opportunities offered at Lincoln Middle School for the current term. Families can also follow the Amazing Teacher nomination portal to nominate educators who contribute to the local community.
The takeaway
Consistent success in extracurricular arts can be a meaningful indicator of a school's overall engagement and student-support environment. Families should keep an eye on upcoming school productions to track the ongoing work of local student troupes.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic and extracurricular achievements in our Secondary Education section.
More information
To submit a nomination for a local educator, visit the Amazing Teacher nomination portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tallahassee Democrat.
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Should local middle school arts programs prioritize student competition over general skills and confidence building?
