JACKSONVILLE — The search for the 2025 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year has begun! Principals from nearly 180 Duval County schools nominated a teacher to be named the Teacher of the Year for Duval County. The 2025 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the EDDY Awards, presented by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), Saturday, January 18, 2025.
The Teacher of the Year program seeks to recognize, elevate and empower Duval County's best public-school teachers by offering unique programming to elevate the teaching profession throughout the year. Teachers selected by their schools as Teacher of the Year are given the opportunity to participate in the Teacher Leadership Initiative offered by JPEF.
After schools submit their nominees for Teacher of the Year, a diverse selection committee convened by JPEF narrows the field down to 15 semifinalists. The semifinalists are further narrowed down to five finalists through a selection process that includes observing the teachers in the classroom. The final Teacher of the Year will be announced at the EDDY Awards Gala on Jan. 18 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The winner will go on to represent Duval County in the Florida Teacher of the Year process.
“We congratulate these amazing teachers and are excited to host them at the 2025 EDDY Awards in January,” said JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune. “It’s appropriate that the EDDY Awards will take place during Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend when we focus on being of service to others. Our public-school teachers show what service to others means every single day, and we could not be more honored to celebrate what they are doing on behalf of our students and our community.”
VyStar believes in doing good and leading by example, especially when it comes to supporting local education foundations and their efforts to celebrate and elevate teachers in their communities. VyStar is the title sponsor for the EDDY Awards.
“VyStar Credit Union is honored to support the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and its mission to recognize, elevate, and empower Duval County’s best public school teachers,” said Patricia McElroy, senior Vice President and Foundation President at VyStar Credit Union. “In addition to celebrating these exceptional educators at the EDDY Awards, VyStar collaborates with teachers through our High School Branch Program across the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for their tireless efforts in guiding and inspiring students every day. Please join us in recognizing and thanking these extraordinary individuals who elevate the teaching profession throughout the year.”
“I’m thrilled to join our community in honoring and recognizing these outstanding educators,” said Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier. “These nominees represent the countless teachers across our district who selflessly devote themselves to educating, nurturing, and encouraging our students every single day. Our success is rooted in their hard work and because of them, our students are excelling, growing, and achieving like never before. I look forward to seeing each of these Teacher of the Year nominees get the city-wide recognition they deserve.”?
The Teachers of the Year are:
Anthony Ragans, A. Philip Randolph Career Academies
Melanie O'Brien, Abess Park Elementary School
Eterna Edmond, Alden Road Exceptional Student Center
Myra Vonn, Alfred I. duPont Middle School
Jacqueline Matchett, Alimacani Elementary School
Christine Haldenwang, Anchor Academy Elementary School
Ryan Kelley, Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology
Kendra Owens, Andrew Robinson Elementary School
Nicola Gibson, Annie R. Morgan Elementary School
Michelle Bradner, Arlington Elementary School
Tarisha Christopher, Arlington Heights Elementary School
Precilla Richard, Arlington Middle School
Kristen Edwards, Atlantic Beach Elementary School
Nicole Frick, Atlantic Coast High School
Amy Pellicer, Baldwin Middle Senior High School
Danielle Simone, Bartram Springs Elementary School
Dezaray Fenner, Bayview Elementary School
Vanessa Lopez, Beauclerc Elementary School
Lyndaziah Roberts, Becoming Collegiate Academy
Courtney Grissett, Biltmore Elementary School
Henry Coleman, Biscayne Elementary Leadership Academy
Randolph Myrie, Bridge to Success Elementary and Middle School
Kaitlin Harris, Brookview Elementary School
Vincent Taylor, Cedar Hills Elementary School
Dustin Fredericks, Central Riverside Elementary School
Lori Palisoc, Chaffee Trail Elementary School
Tiffany Murray, Chaffee Trail Middle School
Chevaugn Sasso, Chets Creek Elementary School
Sharmaine Grant, Chimney Lakes Elementary School
Tami Zipperer, Cornerstone Classical Academy
Amy Sanchez, Crown Point Elementary School
Tracey Benford, Crystal Springs Elementary School
Meghan Matson, Darnel Cookman School of the Medical Arts
Elizabeth Mayernick, Dinsmore Elementary School
Suzan E. Friedel, Don Brewer Elementary
Michael Steinhardt, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
Holly Meyerowich, Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School
Brittany Debski, Duval Charter School at Southside
Dayatra Stroman, Duval MYcroSchool
Trentonio Wynn, Edward H. White High School
Emily Meacham, Englewood Elementary School
Jordan Padilla, Enterprise Learning Academy
Alexa Caron, First Coast High School
Ana Hodges, Fishweir Elementary School of the Arts
Christine Andrews, Fletcher High School
Nicole Neeley, Fort Caroline Elementary School
Megan Broderick, Fort Caroline Urban Arts Academy
Cory Jeffords, Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology
Katrina Rock, Garden City Elementary School
Tiffany Scott, George Washington Carver Elementary School
Suzzanne Fonner, Global Leadership Academy Arts
Eddie Randolph, Global Leadership Discovery Campus
Amanda Holloway, Global Leadership Academy High School
Tiffany Davis, Grand Park Educational Center
Kendall Spurr, GRASP Academy
Nicole Baker, Greenfield Elementary School
Aubrey Albaracin, Greenland Pines Elementary School
Latanya Abney, Gregory Drive Elementary School
Caroline Spottswood, Hendricks Avenue Elementary School
Ivy Sagal, Hidden Oaks Elementary School
Macenzee Schwab, Highlands Estates Academy
Moses Evans, Highlands Middle School
Tara Cochran, Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary School
Claudia Jordan, Holiday Hill Elementary School
Katherine Wonnell, Hospital Homebound
Catharine Wright, Hyde Grove Elementary School
Crystal Williamson – Moxey, Hyde Park Elementary School
Francesca Scott, IDEA Bassett Academy
Miranda Osuji, IDEA Bassett College Prep
Veda Blanche, IDEA River Bluff Academy
Lena Lyles, IDEA River Bluff College Prep
Tara Budd, J. Allen Axson Montessori School
Heather Despain, Jacksonville Beach Elementary
Andrew Wilmot, Jacksonville Heights Elementary School
Jessica Rigdon, James Weldon Johnson College Prep Middle School
Renita Moxey, Jean Ribault High School
Seanta Jones-Sumter, Jean Ribault Middle School
Elizabeth Cosme, John E. Ford PK-8 English/Spanish Montessori School
Melanie Davis, John Love Early Learning Center
Taylor Gourley, John Stockton Elementary School
Dwayne Howard, Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership
Jamicell Clark, Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School
Stephanie Hargrove, Kernan Middle School
Crystal Workman, Kernan Trail Elementary School
Crystal Rodriguez, Kings Trail Elementary School
Monique Lockett, KIPP Bessie Coleman Academy
Luke Jean, KIPP Bold City High School
Marva Alexander, KIPP Impact Academy
Emma Webber, KIPP VOICE Academy
Melissa Floyd, Lake Lucina Elementary School
Valerie Ibanez, Lakeshore Middle School
Jacorey Hagger, Landmark Middle School
Theresa Moreau, LaVilla School of the Arts
Elizabeth Thies, Lone Star Elementary School
Janine Berry, Lone Star MycroSchool
Eryn Harris, Long Branch Elementary School
Kimberly Niebauer, Loretto Elementary School
Brianne Biegun, Louis Sheffield Elementary School
Lovelyn Villar, Love Grove Elementary School
Kelli Wilms, Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary School
Brittany Rollins, Mandarin High School
Ibeth Amaya, Mandarin Middle School
Tiffany Johns, Mandarin Oaks Elementary School
Buansatie Ramadhar, Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School
Dwayne Butler, Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Middle School
Hillary Pearson, Mayport Coastal Sciences Elementary School
Latisha Brown, Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School
Jennifer Keller, Merrill Road Elementary School
Jacqueline Heslin, Mt. Herman Exceptional Student Center
Melissa Paquette, Neptune Beach Elementary School
Felicia Lammi, New Berlin Elementary School
Kristen Baker, Normandy Village Elementary School
Tiffany Tucker, North Shore Elementary School
Sandra Williams, Northwestern Legends Elementary School
Zachary Carter-Best, Oak Hill Academy
Emily Hill, Oceanway Elementary School
Rhosalee Mangalindan-Stewart, Oceanway Middle School
Erin Mullen, Ortega Elementary School
Melvin Smith, Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center
Tasha Cummings, Parkwood Heights Elementary School
Krystal Culpepper, Paxon School for Advanced Studies
Alicia Palacios, Pickett Elementary School
Laurel Ledoux, Pine Forest School of the Arts
Brittany Alexander, Pinedale Elementary School
Latory Burch, Pre-Trial Detention Center
Yolanda McCray, R.V. Daniels Elementary School
Edith Smith, Reynolds Lane Elementary School
Stephanie Horne, River City Science Academy Elementary School
Alexandra Hall, River City Science Academy Innovation
Christy Peiffer, River City Science Academy Intracoastal K-8
Holley Traverso, River City Science Academy Mandarin
Moriah Taylor, River City Science Academy Middle High
Heather Bruce, River City Science Academy Southeast
Kelly Sly, RL Brown Academy
Angela Rochay, Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Patreace Heard, Ruth N. Upson Elementary School
Lauren Freeman, Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School
Sarah Buss, Sab Pablo Elementary School
Jessica Caton, Sabal Palm Elementary School
Lauren Henderson Young, Sadie T. Tillis Elementary School
Kirk Altman, Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School
Girleaner Rouse-Mingo, Samuel A Hull Elementary School
Michelle Wolrich, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies
Stephanie Weathington, San Jose Elementary School
Aaron Avery, San Jose Prep
Christina Hanjora, San Jose Primary
Teresa Kelley, San Mateo Elementary School
Tabitha Tuggle, Seabreeze Elementary School
Fabian Taylor, Smart Pope Livingston Elementary School
Eliza Israel, Southside Estates Elementary School
Ashley Fecca, Southside Middle School
Anthoinette Taylor, Spring Park Elementary School
Annalisa Robinson, Springfield Middle School
Mary Krieger, Stanton College Preparatory School
Olivia Carmichael, Susie E. Tolbert Elementary School
Sara Stolkner, Terry Parker High School
Deveon Brewton, The Bridge to Success Academy High School
Caitlin Ybarra, The Leadership Academy
Jennifer Jones, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Torin Span, Tiger Academy
Delena Lambert, Timucuan Elementary School
Tracey Wesley, Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School
Laura Crumbly, Twin Lakes Academy Middle School
Lillian Gaddy, Venetia Elementary School of the Medical Arts
Erin Eaton, Waterleaf Elementary School
Beverly James, Wayman Academy of The Arts
Damaris Lopez Maldonado, West Riverside Elementary School
Brigid Begg, Westside High School
Georgia Cordero, Westview K-8
Crystal Mirkowski, Whitehouse Elementary School
Ronique Harris, William Marion Raines High School
Morgan Williams, Windy Hill Elementary School
Contact Amy Henderson Communications & Marketing Director, at (404) 387-0624 or amy@jaxpef.org for more information.
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About the Jacksonville Public Education Fund
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is an independent think-and-do tank that believes in the potential of all students. We work tirelessly to close the opportunity gaps in public education. We convene educators, school system leaders, and the community to pilot and help scale evidence-based solutions that advance school quality in Duval County.
About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with over 80 branches and is reaching 1,000,000 members with assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,500 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.