Shown at the surprise honor (L-R) is Dominique Keys, Lindsay Miller, honoree Lekeshi Wormley, Dr. Melissa Fullmore and Dr. Brittney Black.
Lekeshi Wormley after finding out she had won
In a moment filled with emotion and celebration, KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools surprised one of its own this week with national recognition for outstanding teaching.
Lekeshi Wormley, a 10th-grade biology teacher at KIPP Bold City High School, was named a 2026 Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award winner – one of 10 educators selected from more than 8,000 KIPP teachers nationwide. The award includes a $10,000 prize and honors exceptional classroom impact and student achievement.
The announcement came as a complete surprise to Wormley, who was celebrated by school leaders, colleagues, and students during a special on-campus recognition moment during Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4–8).
Wormley has set a new standard for academic excellence at KIPP Bold City High School. During the 2024–25 school year, 71 percent of her students passed Florida’s rigorous end-of-course biology exam—marking the highest pass rate on any end-of-course exam in the school’s history and exceeding the statewide 10th-grade pass rate by 11 percentage points.
Beyond the classroom, Wormley serves as Science Department Chair and leads the school’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter. Through this work, she prepares students for high-demand careers in the health sciences, connecting them with with professional networks and postsecondary opportunities.
“Ms. Wormley represents the very best of what it means to be an educator,” said Zac West, Chief Operating Officer of KIPP Jacksonville Public Schools. “Her commitment to student achievement and her ability to open doors for our students is truly exceptional. We are proud to celebrate her on a national stage.”
A native of Clinton, S.C., she was working in a genetics lab when a friend suggested she try an alternative teaching program. But after trying a few other jobs, she gave teaching a try and actually liked it and its impact.
After serving as a substitute teacher for two years, “I found myself falling in love with teaching students and being in the classroom,” she said.
The Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award is one of the highest honors within the KIPP network, recognizing educators who deliver transformative results for students and exemplify excellence in teaching. There is no doubt Wormley is a natural for the profession.
“Teaching is a calling for me. It’s something I feel I’m meant to do, whether it’s working with children or adults. It allows me to combine two things I love: science and working with our youth,” says Wormley.
Shown at the surprise honor (L-R) is Dominique Keys, Lindsay Miller, honoree Lekeshi Wormley, Dr. Melissa Fullmore and Dr. Brittney Black.
