For Immediate Release
For More Information Contact:
Annie Greenwood
annie@janfl.org
Hope Teper Named Junior Achievement of North Florida 2025 Educator of the Year
Englewood Elementary Principal Awarded as JA Educator of the Year
Jacksonville, FL (June, 2025) – Junior Achievement of North Florida (JA) is proud to announce Hope Teper, Principal of Englewood Elementary, as its 2025 Educator of the Year. The honor was presented at the 26th Annual JA Hall of Fame, held at the UNF Herbert University Center on May 28th, where more than 300 local business leaders gathered to celebrate outstanding contributions to student success.
A passionate and dedicated servant leader, Teper has spent over 20 years in education—teaching, coaching, and leading with a steadfast commitment to students and families. Since joining Duval County Public Schools in 2003, she has brought her vision for inclusive, values-driven education to life, now serving as principal of Englewood Elementary, a school proud to represent a dynamic and diverse student body, with over 40% bilingual learners.
“Students need to understand how to build credit, budget, pay bills, and plan for retirement in order to be economically literate,” said Hope Teper, Principal at Englewood Elementary. “That’s what I love about Junior Achievement. When volunteers come in to teach financial literacy, students are introduced to role models who come from similar backgrounds and a range of financial situations. Then those students go home and continue the conversation with their families, keeping financial literacy alive beyond the classroom.”
Hope has been a dedicated partner in JA’s mission, ensuring her students have meaningful access to financial literacy and work readiness programs. Through her leadership, Englewood Elementary has welcomed many JA business volunteers, like those from Bank of America, into the classroom, creating powerful learning experiences that equip students with the skills and confidence to build brighter futures.
“Hope leads with heart,” said Shannon Italia, President of Junior Achievement of North Florida. “She exemplifies what it means to champion students beyond the classroom. Her commitment to her students is inspiring, and her partnership with JA has opened doors for hundreds of young learners.”
To learn how you can support JA’s mission of inspiring and preparing young people for economic success, volunteer or donate today.
About Junior Achievement of North Florida
Junior Achievement of North Florida (JA) inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Since 1963, JA has been a leader in providing authentic and engaging experiential learning focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. By bridging the gap between education and business, JA connects students with dedicated volunteers and mentors to provide relevant life skills needed to succeed and thrive in today’s world. As part of the world’s largest organization devoted to youth empowerment, Junior Achievement of North Florida positively impacted over 28,000 students and 415 educators during the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more about Junior Achievement of North Florida, visit www.janfl.org.