Local Teacher Hits Home Stretch in America’s Favorite Teacher Competition

Tampa Bay Educator Named Finalist for "America’s Favorite Teacher" Competition — Community Rally Requested to Secure #1 Spot

[Tampa Bay, Florida]  [April 22, 2026] - After more than 20 years working and volunteering with children in the community, and raising two sons as a single parent, Yvette Sequino is changing lives, especially her own. An educator balancing the hearts and minds of her students with “NeuroGrowth” techniques, Sequino has been named a Top 5 finalist in the national America’s Favorite Teacher competition. Currently ranked 4th in their group, Sequino is helping her students with scientifically proven methods and needs to add community votes in order to move to the top spot in her group. Let’s help an educator on a mission empowering students to believe in themselves and their abilities, while also teaching them with brain strengthening exercises.

The competition celebrates excellence in education across the country, awards the community an assembly with Bill Nye, CEO of the Planetary Society, for Sequino’s present and past students, a $1000 refresh to a local Library, and a feature about the winner in Reader’s Digest. 

Sequino says, “I am incredibly honored and blessed to be at this level of the competition; having received daily recognition and support from family, friends, community businesses, and students’ families.

"Becoming a teacher started as a job supporting my family and moved into opening my heart to every one of my students. Eventually, I wanted to do more than standard teaching and began studying how the brain works and neuro-strategies to strengthen it. I believe in every one of my students and know we will work together to build their potential.”  Sequino, founder of Pink and Blue Place says, "Moving into the top percentage of America’s Favorite Teachers is more than a wonderful title to me, it’s about bringing a national spotlight to neuro-strategies helping students thrive in academics, home, and life. I love when they light-up learning about their brains’ capabilities."

Sequino’s journey from corporate management to education culminates in her current work as a teacher and NeuroGrowth Coach for students and families, focusing on improving academics and reducing life tensions through brain-based learning and organizational systems.

How to Vote: Supporters can vote daily at: https://americasfavteacher.org/2026/yvette-sequino 

About Yvette Sequino:  Sequino is an educator, parent, and NeuroGrowth Coach based in Tampa Bay and Long Island. With over 25 years of combined experience in education and management, she now leads Pink and Blue Place, a coaching practice dedicated to applying Reading learning sciences and NeuroGrowth coaching to student and family success.