CELEBRATING TEACHERS - Team Duval extends heartfelt thanks to our more than 5,000 teachers and teacher specialists for their unwavering dedication to building brighter futures for students every day. From early mornings to late nights, our educators commit themselves to teaching, inspiring, and shaping lives. As Dr. Bernier shares in a special Teacher Appreciation Week video message, a simple "thank you" doesn’t fully capture the deep gratitude and admiration we hold for our teachers. Please take a moment to watch the video and reflect on the lasting impact great teachers have had on all our lives: https://vimeo.com/1080292011
ACADEMIC SIGNING DAY – Congratulations to Riverside High School’s Class of 2025 and a recent celebration of record-breaking achievements at the 8th annual Academic Signing Day pep rally! School counselor Khristi Keefe reports this year’s seniors have earned an astounding $15 million in scholarship dollars and over 800 acceptance letters into post-secondary programs. Congratulations!
TWELVE TEAM DUVAL EDUCATORS EARN AWARDS – Twelve of our teachers were recently recognized by the Florida Council on Economic Education in a special ceremony at the Federal Reserve Bank. Eleven teachers (listed below) were honored with REEL Awards (Regional Economic Educator and Leadership), which celebrate outstanding Florida teachers who deliver high-quality personal finance and economic education. A twelfth educator, Dr. Keisha T. Williams-Walton of Sandalwood High School, received the Charles C. Harper Award.
2024 REEL Award Recipients from Duval County Public Schools: Alyssa Halliday, Jesus Patrick Isla, Asilia Rogers, Dominique Sanders, Andrea Shaw, Randal Smith, Carol Solomon-Jenkins, Lisa Swan, Ed Wagner, Jill Walker, and Shanda Westmoreland.
EAGLE SCOUT GIVES BACK AND HONORS BAND DIRECTOR – This shoutout recognizes the hard work of an outstanding student and band director at First Coast High School. As part of his journey to becoming an Eagle Scout, senior Christopher Davis chose to give back to his school by designing, purchasing, and constructing shelves to store band instruments. When it came time for Davis's Eagle Scout ceremony, he presented Band Director Kenneth Solomon with an Eagle Scout Mentor Award, one of two received by the educator. Students shared “they would not be where they are today without the influence and guidance provided by Mr. Solomon in their lives.” Congratulations to Davis and Mr. Solomon!
TEACHER HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD – We celebrate Elizabeth Michaels from Duncan U. Fletcher High School for being named the National Dual Enrollment Aviation Teacher of the Year for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). She’s been teaching Dual Enrollment Aviation and Engineering courses for ERAU at Fletcher since 2019 and has also helped students earn scholarships in aviation programs.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS – Team Duval is proud to celebrate 31 seniors who have earned the impressive distinction of being National Merit Scholarship Finalists. The students represent six schools and are among an elite group who have advanced in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Congratulations to our finalists from Fletcher High School, Mandarin High School, Paxon School for Advanced Studies, Sandalwood High School, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies, and Stanton College Preparatory School.
MISS JACKSONVILLE VISITS KERNAN MIDDLE – Students enrolled in Kernan Middle School’s Pre-Early College program received a special treat when Miss Jacksonville 2025 and Team Duval alum Anjelica Jones stopped by to share important advice about college and career. Teacher Patrice McCloud invited Jones as part of ongoing lessons about interviews and resumes. Jones, a law student who attended Fletcher High School, spoke to students about interviews, college applications, scholarships, and more.
CELEBRATING OUR ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT STAFF - Join us in recognizing the invaluable contributions of our administrative and support staff! Whether in schools or district offices, these team members serve as the backbone of our operations. Their hard work often happens behind the scenes, but the impact is front and center. Thank you for the vital role you play in the success of Team Duval and students. Check out this great video showcasing two extraordinary support staff team members at San Jose Elementary: https://vimeo.com/1077652180
DCPS NAMES TOP CHEF – A men’s cook-off to raise money for the United Way of Northeast Florida proved to be a success. More than $800 was raised for our valued partner, and Evan Daniels was named “Top Chef” for his winning peach cobbler. Congratulations!
DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING TEAM SHINES AT SHARKS GAME – We’re shouting out our Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) team for making a big splash at a recent Jacksonville Sharks game! On April 6th, several members of the team were front and center as they signed the National Anthem. This included teachers Hannah Poole and Tashina Potts, interpreters Lauren Shaaber and Erin Kyle, and students Janessa Sherbaum, Abrianna Wallace, and Katarina Pilkington.
STUDENTS HONORED FOR HEROIC ACTS – Jean Ribault High School students Jonathan Yanes and Victor Abruna-Maldonado are recognized for saving the life of their classmate, Rafhael Thorne. According to school police, Victor and Jonathan found Rafhael immobilized in the school’s swimming pool. They pulled him to safety and administered CPR, successfully reviving him and preventing a tragedy.
CELEBRATING A LONGTIME EDUCATOR – Staff at San Jose Elementary School are celebrating the work and commitment of longtime paraprofessional Wedad Mardini. Mardini has served in the role for nearly 21 years and leads 11 other paraprofessionals at the school. Mardini also hails from Jordan, speaking both Arabic and English. One of her peers says the following: “She’s the embodiment of a true educator– patient, empathetic and compassionate."
SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNIZES THRIVE SCHOLARS – Congratulations to our Thrive Scholars, bright individuals who will one day become our community's next generation of corporate, civic, and academic leaders. Students from a dozen schools were recognized as being part of the 2025 cohort of students who will be supported with college-level instruction, personal mentoring, and more.
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD – This month, the School Board read a proclamation officially recognizing April as the Month of the Military Child and April 15, 2025, as Purple Up! For Military Kids Day. With this proclamation, the board reaffirmed the district’s support for our over 6,000 military-connected children and highlighted our 32 Purple Star Schools of Distinction.
GUITAR STUDENTS SHARE LOVE OF MUSIC – Students in Douglas Anderson School of the Arts’ Guitar Program are hitting all of the right notes as they perform for other students across the district. Members of the school’s Guitar Ensemble recently visited Thomas Jefferson and Lone Star elementary schools, speaking to students about the program and what it is like to attend LaVilla and Douglas Anderson.
STUDENT STARTS SHOE TYING CLUB – Anisa Williamson, an 8th grader in Joseph Stilwell Middle School's Supported Level Academics (SLA) Program, recognized a need for students with disabilities to learn how to tie their shoes. This led her to take the initiative to start the Shoe Tying Club. The club met each Friday for six weeks, with Williams taking time to instruct her peers. Williamson hosted a graduation ceremony for members, using her own funds to give students gifts and pizza.
A PRINCIPAL'S PASSION FOR STEM – Oceanway Middle School Principal Elizabeth Stansel is being praised for the way she empowers students through STEAM, or Science, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics. STEAM Outreach Coordinator Rhosalee Mangalindan-Stewart shares the following: “I admire our principal, Ms. Stansel, for her unwavering support of STEAM2 initiatives! From the career fair to STEM Cup, she's revolutionizing our school's culture and empowering students to thrive in STEM fields! She personally makes sure our students have the best possible learning environment.”
TEACHER CREATES PEACE GARDEN – A special shoutout goes out to Gregory Drive Elementary School teacher Shirley Thomas for using her ingenuity to create a peaceful space for students, teachers, and parents. The second grade teacher is credited with putting a team together to transform the school’s atrium into a Peace Garden. Students use the space to gain calm, teachers hold classes in the garden, and parents frequently come out to each lunch with their students. Great work!
CELEBRATING A VALUED PARAPROFESSIONAL – Our celebration of paraprofessionals continues with a shoutout for Angela Cole of Waterleaf Elementary School. Team Duval parent Jessica Fernandez shares the following: “When I think of people who should be in education, I think of Ms. Angela Cole, my daughter’s VPK paraprofessional. Ms. Cole is kind, patient, nurturing, and a true rockstar. She goes above and beyond the call of duty to support our littlest learners and always does so with warmth and positivity.”
IMPROVING ESE SERVICES - Your voice matters! In less than five minutes, you can help us improve services for students with disabilities by completing a short survey.
This survey is open to all families whose children receive Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services—from preschool through 12th grade—as well as parents of students with disabilities who are 18 or older. What’s the purpose? Each year, the Florida Department of Education invites families of students with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) to share feedback on how well schools are partnering with parents to support students with disabilities. The survey is quick, easy, and can be completed online: https://fldoepaads.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_881xTFo6E6C6ZJI. Prefer a paper version? Use this link: Download the paper-based ESE Parent Survey
Thank you for your time and partnership in helping us build stronger programs for every learner!
