In a year of unexpected moments, this is a surprise that brings a smile.

Which is why Pinellas County School leaders knew they couldn’t let this year pass without it.

“More than any time in my life of working in education, this year is an exception year. And what we have seen is teachers have risen to the occasion like no other,” said Stacy Baier, CEO of Pinellas Education Foundation.

The annual Evening of Excellence will happen this year, despite the pandemic.

The only difference is tens of thousands of people, instead of the normal 1,500, are invited to join in to honor our educators.

“I think what’s an unintended outcome of having to go virtual is in fact the entire community can participate in the event,” said Baier.

The goal is to have 20,000 people join in to the virtual event, where one teacher will be named Teacher of the Year.

Those working behind the scenes have spent more than a month figuring out how to make this virtual event just as special as it would be in person.

“We’re literally going to have to build a complete set up in conference hall for the hosts so it will look like the Evening of Excellence. We have links to each teacher of the year so they’ll have their own video link, we’ll have what we’re calling the teacher lounge which is a zoom link that their fans can be on…,” said Sean Clark, manager of multimedia with Pinellas County Schools.

It’s been a learning process, organizers say.

But a process worth learning for those dedicated to teaching.

“I hope that teachers see that the community loves and supports them and honors them in the way that they deserve,” said Baier.

“The ability for people to see these teachers and what they do and how they touch kids, it makes me super happy and super jazzed to put all my effort into making this a great evening for them,” said Clark.

The event will happen on Thursday, January 21.

To register, visit this page.