Alexander Everts’ outlook on teaching middle school youth went from babysitter to life coach. Everts, 33, who until recently was an eighth grade American history teacher at Fort King Middle School, has been named an Ocala Star-Banner/Florida Credit Union Amazing Teacher of the Month.
“When I began teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, I viewed the work as ‘babysitting.’ But after interacting with the kids, I see the career as an opportunity to help build young lives,” Everts said.
“Building better people one person at a time” is the mission Everts said had been his honor and privilege to pursue while at Fort King Middle. Everts plans to have an even greater opportunity to work with students as the sixth grade student services dean at Horizon
Academy in Marion Oaks, a position he assumed for the 2026-27 school year.
Everts said he is approaching the new position by setting a “good example by treating everyone with respect… and helping to make sure new teachers are prepared, as it is one of the biggest growth opportunities any campus has.”
Everts said he likes to see his students as people and not statistics. He said teaching has “fun and serious moments" and the bald headed Everts once even donned a long hair wig to get his students' attention.
Everts takes an interest in his students and tries to understand their individual situations and find common ground, like favorite sports teams, to spark conversation.
A student recently wrote a note to Everts thanking him for his concern.
“Thank you for everything you've done for me this year. You believed in me, pushed me to do better, and helped me accomplish so much. I'll always be grateful for the support and encouragement you gave me,” the letter states.
Everts, an Ocala native, attended Marion County Public Schools through about 11th grade, when he dropped out and began working along with family members for a business that distributed truck parts to various locations.After about a year, he decided to earn his GED and attend College of Central Florida and Florida State University. He is currently completing his master’s degree.
“I always wanted to teach history,” Everts said. The medieval and late classic periods are his personal favorites.
Everts began his five years to date as a teacher in 2016 as an American history and intensive reading instructor for about a year. Everts temporarily left the teaching profession for different pursuits but returned in 2022 and his courses have included American and constitutional history and math.
Everts works with his students, coaching them on how to prepare for and conduct themselves at a job Interview.
Everts also operates Marion Fence, a fencing company that works statewide.
Everts was struck by personal tragedy in 2024 when his 5-year-old son, Alexander Bernard “Abe” Everts, died as the result of an accidental drowning.
Everts immediately returned to work after losing his son and “poured the same energy” he had used with his son into working with his students.
“It saved my life,” he said.
The Amazing Teacher program, sponsored by Florida Credit Union in partnership with the Ocala Star-Banner, is a celebration of educators whose compassion, creativity and dedication inspire us all. Local teachers are selected monthly. They are recognized locally and are eligible for national level recognition and prizes. These stories are produced by the newsroom. Do you know an amazing teacher? Nominating one is easy. Just visit ocala.gannettcontests.com/Florida-Credit-Union-Amazing-Teachers
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Star-Banner/Florida Credit Union Amazing Teacher of the Month is Alexander Everts
