The Florida Legislature established Florida’s Heroes in the Classroom Bonus Program to support the recruitment of Florida’s fully retired first responders and honorably discharged veterans who commit to joining the teaching profession as a full-time classroom teacher for a minimum of two school years. To qualify you must have a hire date after 7/1/2025. The program would give a one time bonus of $4000.00 and also provides an additional bonus of $1000.00 to fully retired first responders and honorably discharged veterans teaching a course in a high demand teacher need area as defined in s. 1012.07, F.S. ***This application does NOT guarantee an award of the bonus and will be subject to the grant funding awarded to Pasco County Schools*** The first application period deadline is 10/14/2025 at 5pm EST. The second application period deadline will be 2/20/2026 at 5pm EST. If you submit your application after 10/14/2025 at 5pm EST it will be submitted with the second application period. If you do not yet have your FLDOE teaching certificate, please complete the application and our team will assist you in getting your certificate to the best of our ability. You do NOT qualify for this grant without your FLDOE teaching certification, per s. 1012.07, F.S.
Veterans: Upload a copy of your DD214 First Responders: Upload a signed statement from former leadership on department or agency letterhead
Upload a copy of your Florida Department of Education-issued certificate.
Please upload a signed and dated copy of the Letter of Intent. Use the following link to access the form: Letter of Intent Link