Education

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Hunter Miller wins Alachua County School Board District 1 seat

Middle school teacher Hunter Miller defeated governor-appointed incumbent Janine Plavac in the Alachua County School Board District 1 race, with both candidates appearing on the ballot for the second consecutive time after a prior August contest. Miller, who has taught at Howard Bishop Middle School for four years, celebrated the victory with supporters and said his top priorities will be equitable school funding and closing a wide literacy gap across the county. The Alligator noted the board will gain two new members while retaining one incumbent.

Sources: The Independent Florida Alligator · WUFT News · WCJB TV20

UF psychologist finds forced, repeated smiling can backfire on mood

A University of Florida study of more than 1,170 participants found that while a single posed smile can briefly lift a person’s mood, being required to smile repeatedly — especially under financial pressure — eliminated that benefit and in some cases increased irritation and anger. The research, led by UF psychology professor Nicholas Coles and published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, adds nuance to long-held assumptions about the relationship between facial expression and emotion. The findings carry practical implications for workplace policies that require employees to maintain a smile throughout their shifts.

Sources: UF News

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