Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Barbara Brock has taught in a classroom for more than two decades, but she didn't get there the conventional way.
She was raised as a military brat whose undergrad degree in business at Mary Washington University and master's in education from Grand Canyon eventually led to cobbling together a start-up in a museum store in Fredericksburg, Virginia, selling science-related toys.
"When people go to museums, they spend a lot of time in the stores," Brock said.
And the products on sale in those stores foster learning.
Eventually, the classroom called. Brock took her science to the school and wound up at High Springs Community, a K-through-8th just north of Gainesville, where she excels at it. In January, Brock was named Alachua County Public Schools Teacher of the Year – she was the middle school finalist, alongside Katie Dawson (Meadowbrook Elementary) and Ryan McNickle (Buchholz High) – and with the honor comes a very unique perk.
In 2022, the same year Brock came to the area, the University Athletic Association began partnering with the Alachua County School System by inviting its annual teacher honoree to be the honorary "Mr. Two Bits" at a Florida football game.
Brock gets her turn Saturday when the Gators (1-0) take on Campbell (2-0) at Spurrier/Florida Field.
2026 Teacher of the Year Barbara Brock in action at High Springs Community School.
A couple weeks ago, her principal ducked into the classroom, along with a camera crew. The sight was not particularly unusual, what with High Springs often doing in-house promos with their teachers. This time, though, the principal handed Brock a cell phone. On the other end was the unmistakable voice of UF legend Steve Spurrier, who extended the "Two Bits" invite.
Her cheering students immediately began tossing Two Bits tips her way.
"I'm learning. I'm studying," Brock said of the customary George Edmundson routine. "I'm a bit of a ham, so they know that."
Come late Saturday afternoon, upwards of 90,000 at the "Swamp" will know it, too.
"I'm a teacher, so I love an audience," Brock said. "But that's a lot of audience."
