JBE EDUCATORS MAKE A LASTING IMPACT – Today’s Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the incredible team at Jacksonville Beach Elementary who go above and beyond for students every day. Ms. Johnson is known for her high standards and compassionate approach, helping students feel safe, supported, and valued—whether in the classroom or checking in on everyone during a recent field trip. Mrs. Heather DeSpain brings creativity and heart to the school community as an art teacher who leads beloved events like the Cultural Night of the Arts, supports school productions, and creates inspiring experiences that make students feel seen and celebrated. Adding to the joy, the school’s PE coach made this year’s fundraiser unforgettable by jumping into the dunk tank over 300 times—all while encouraging students and creating lasting memories in his very first year. Together, these educators create a positive, vibrant environment where students thrive.
GRADS RESEARCH CANCER – Congratulations to Team Duval graduates Lidia Rak and Alan Alwakeel on their remarkable achievements in cancer research!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized these outstanding students for presenting their research at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, the largest cancer research conference in the world.
Through innovative research and collaboration with leading organizations, both students have contributed to important advancements in the understanding and treatment of cancer.
As they begin the next chapter of their academic journeys, we celebrate their dedication, talent, and commitment to making a difference through science!
At this month's Board Meeting, we recognized these outstanding students for presenting their research at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, the largest cancer research conference in the world.
Through innovative research and collaboration with leading organizations, both students have contributed to important advancements in the understanding and treatment of cancer.
As they begin the next chapter of their academic journeys, we celebrate their dedication, talent, and commitment to making a difference through science!
STUDENT COUNCIL STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY – Congratulations to the student council at Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary School, who have earned a Team Duval Shoutout for their outstanding leadership and strong commitment to community service. Student council sponsor Mr. Parker shared that he is truly blown away by the students’ heart for giving back and their dedication to making a positive impact. Recently, members of the student council organized a meaningful initiative to donate food and supplies to the Jacksonville Humane Society. During their visit, students not only contributed essential items, but also had the opportunity to learn more about the organization’s mission and the important work it does within the community. They spent time interacting with the animals and even reading to them, helping to provide comfort and calm. This experience prepared students to become active and responsible citizens in their local community, while emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and service. The Mamie Agnes Jones Student Council has set an excellent example of compassion, leadership, and community involvement—great job!
MSA HONORS – Congratulations to Spring Park Elementary, Paxon School for Advanced Studies, and Jacksonville Beach Elementary on earning national recognition from Magnet Schools of America!
* Spring Park Elementary – 2026 Magnet School of Distinction
* Paxon School for Advanced Studies – 2026 Magnet School of Distinction
* Jacksonville Beach Elementary – National Magnet Certification through 2029
These honors reflect the dedication of each school's students, teachers, staff, and leadership. Please join us in celebrating these remarkable achievements and the continued success of our magnet programs!
* Spring Park Elementary – 2026 Magnet School of Distinction
* Paxon School for Advanced Studies – 2026 Magnet School of Distinction
* Jacksonville Beach Elementary – National Magnet Certification through 2029
These honors reflect the dedication of each school's students, teachers, staff, and leadership. Please join us in celebrating these remarkable achievements and the continued success of our magnet programs!
CARING COMMUNITY AT CROWN POINT – Let’s give a big Team Duval Shoutout to Mrs. Houpert at Crown Point Elementary! Nominated by a classroom parent for the connection she builds with students, her kindness, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment leaves a lasting impression on her students and their families. “Over the past two years,” writes one parent, “I have truly come to appreciate not only her dedication as an educator, but also the genuine care she shows for each of her students. I am especially grateful for the way she has supported my son. The growth we have seen in him this year is a direct reflection of her care and guidance.” Here’s to you, Mrs. Houpert, for going above and beyond for your students every single day!
CIVICS TEAM PLANNING FOR SUCCESS – The Civics team at Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School earns today’s Team Duval Shoutout for hosting an impactful Civics Parent Night, led by social studies teacher Jennifer Nagy. Parents were able to stop in at their convenience, pick up a Civics EOC review folder, and explore valuable resources to support student success. Attendees walked away with practical strategies to support student learning at home. Thank you Ms. Nagy, for showing what strong school-home partnership looks like!
EDUCATOR INSPIRES GROWTH AT ENGLEWOOD – Today’s Team Duval Shoutout goes to Mrs. Avanzado from Englewood Elementary for the instant impact she has made on her students. A TPG exchange teacher from the Philippines, she is new to Englewood this year but has quickly become part of the school family, using her own experience as a second language learner to support her Kindergarten class—where 90% of her 19 students are also learning English. Through fun, engaging lessons and a strong focus on both academic and emotional growth, her dedication is already showing results, with every student in her class demonstrating reading growth from PM1 in August to PM3 in April. Way to go, Mrs. Avanzado!
VOLUNTEERS HELP TRANSFORM CAMPUS – Today we’re giving a big Team Duval Shoutout to volunteers from Ernst & Young who helped beautify the garden spaces at Oceanway Middle School. Led by Mrs. Paulina Bain, the group contributed a generous donation and hands-on support to transform the garden while inspiring students to think about conscious consumption and the power of their choices. Their efforts sparked campus-wide interest in gardening, growing food, and recycling. Thank you for inspiring our future leaders through your meaningful work!
SOUTHSIDE SISTER SHOUTOUT – This extra-special Team Duval Shoutout goes to Kizzie Griffin at Southside Estates Elementary from her sister! A passionate 3rd grade teacher, she works to ensure that each student is prepared not only for the next grade level, but for life itself. “She is the type of teacher every parent hopes their child will have, and the type of person who truly makes a difference in the world. I am beyond proud to call her my sister, and I know the lives she touches today will carry her lessons and love with them forever.” Mrs. Griffin, know that your impact is felt both by your students as well as your community!
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE TABLES - May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and schools across Team Duval are helping students and families connect with valuable resources and support. Through weekly Mental Health Resource Tables led by school counselors, social workers, and Full-Service Schools counselors, students are learning about wellness, building awareness, and discovering the many support services available both in school and throughout the community. Thank you to the dedicated staff members working every day to support the mental health and well-being of our students and families!
TEACHER TOUCHES HEARTS – Congratulations to Ms. Macon, a 5th grade teacher from Beauclerc Elementary, for earning today’s Team Duval Shoutout! She is being recognized for her impact in and out of the classroom. Says one parent: “Ms. Macon made the effort to attend and support a few of Malcom’s soccer games, cheering him on and expressing how proud she is of his dedication. At that moment, he realized that Ms. Macon is not only just a teacher, but that she always has his best interest at heart. We will truly miss Ms. Macon as he starts his new journey to middle school and will always remember the impact she has made in his life.” Ms. Macon, we could not be prouder of the connection you have made with your students!
CELEBRATING A HERO – At the May School Board meeting, we recognized Westside High School senior and Air Force Junior ROTC cadet Angel Williams for his heroic actions following a serious car accident on December 30th. After witnessing a collision near 103rd Street, he immediately rushed to assist, ultimately breaking a window to safely remove a victim. He then provided comfort and reassurance until first responders arrived. For his quick thinking, courage, and selfless response in a critical moment, Angel Williams was presented with a Superintendent’s Coin of Excellence.
SCHOOL STORE SHOWS SPIRIT - Let’s give a big Team Duval Shoutout to Ms. Hartley from Crown Point Elementary! Her love for students is reflected in her thoughtful curation of the Panther Store, with an entire classroom filled with a plethora of incentives which can be exchanged for tickets. With stuffed animals, board games, books, art kits, puzzles, and so much more, Ms. Hartley caters to over 700 students every single month and manages to keep the store continuously stocked. Thank you, Ms. Hartley, for the hard work and dedication it took to make the store a success!
NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS – At the May School Board meeting, we celebrated an exceptional group of students named National Merit Scholarship Finalists—an honor earned by only about 1.15 percent of the more than 1.3 million students who entered the program nationwide.
These students demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and met rigorous criteria, including high PSAT performance and endorsement from school leadership.
This year’s finalists represent five Team Duval schools: Fletcher High School, Mandarin High School, Paxon School for Advanced Studies, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies, and Stanton College Preparatory School.
Congratulations to these remarkable students for earning one of the nation’s most prestigious academic distinctions.
These students demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and met rigorous criteria, including high PSAT performance and endorsement from school leadership.
This year’s finalists represent five Team Duval schools: Fletcher High School, Mandarin High School, Paxon School for Advanced Studies, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies, and Stanton College Preparatory School.
Congratulations to these remarkable students for earning one of the nation’s most prestigious academic distinctions.
RIVERSIDE HIGH EXPECTATIONS – We’d like to give a shoutout to the School Counseling department at Riverside High for their recent event for high school seniors. Working with community partners, they helped students complete FSCJ, military, and financial aid applications. As a result, they boosted post-secondary plans to 80%, scholarships to $6+ million, and Bright Futures to 78%! They are a shining example of how to prepare students for success after high school.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS – At the May School Board meeting, we recognized a group of Team Duval seniors who earned more than $50,000 in scholarships through partnerships with the district’s Nutrition Program, Chartwells K12, and Thompson Hospitality.
Through the Nutrition Program Scholarship, 10 seniors each received a one-time $5,000 award to support their post-secondary education at colleges, universities, and technical or trade schools, while two students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities received meal plan scholarships from Thompson Hospitality.
Applicants were selected based on essays promoting healthy eating habits, increasing participation in school nutrition programs, and sharing their future goals and aspirations.
Congratulations to these outstanding students for their achievements and to our partners for investing in their success.
Through the Nutrition Program Scholarship, 10 seniors each received a one-time $5,000 award to support their post-secondary education at colleges, universities, and technical or trade schools, while two students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities received meal plan scholarships from Thompson Hospitality.
Applicants were selected based on essays promoting healthy eating habits, increasing participation in school nutrition programs, and sharing their future goals and aspirations.
Congratulations to these outstanding students for their achievements and to our partners for investing in their success.
THRIVE SCHOLARS HONORED - At the May School Board meeting, we celebrated an inspiring group of students selected as Thrive Scholars, recognized for their hard work, dedication, and drive.
Thrive Scholars is a comprehensive program that supports high-achieving, low-income students of color with rigorous academic instruction, college admissions guidance, mentoring, and continued support from high school through college and into their careers. Through more than 350 hours of college-level learning and personalized support, the program is designed to help Scholars achieve lifelong economic mobility and financial security.
Congratulations to this outstanding cohort as they take the next steps toward becoming our community’s future leaders.
Thrive Scholars is a comprehensive program that supports high-achieving, low-income students of color with rigorous academic instruction, college admissions guidance, mentoring, and continued support from high school through college and into their careers. Through more than 350 hours of college-level learning and personalized support, the program is designed to help Scholars achieve lifelong economic mobility and financial security.
Congratulations to this outstanding cohort as they take the next steps toward becoming our community’s future leaders.
CINDY EDELMAN FELLOWS - At the May School Board meeting, we were proud to celebrate the newest cohort of Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellows, who receive funding for innovative and non-traditional professional learning opportunities.
This year’s fellows will pursue projects spanning literacy, science, environmental learning, and instructional practices, including international study to support multilingual learners, the creation of outdoor agriscience learning environments, hands-on exploration of volcanic and geologic activity, and advanced training to strengthen classroom instruction.
The fellowship is administered by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and supported by a permanent fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Congratulations to this outstanding group of educators for their commitment to growing their practice and enriching learning experiences for students.
This year’s fellows will pursue projects spanning literacy, science, environmental learning, and instructional practices, including international study to support multilingual learners, the creation of outdoor agriscience learning environments, hands-on exploration of volcanic and geologic activity, and advanced training to strengthen classroom instruction.
The fellowship is administered by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and supported by a permanent fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Congratulations to this outstanding group of educators for their commitment to growing their practice and enriching learning experiences for students.
MENTAL HEALTH PSA WINNERS - Team Duval students used their voices and creativity to amplify the message of Mental Health Awareness Month through a districtwide PSA contest centered on the theme “Mindful...NOT Mind Full,” and were honored at the May School Board meeting. High school students submitted 60–90 second recordings that were evaluated on creativity, originality, technique, and overall impact.
Congratulations to our winners: first place, Atlantic Coast High School student Sena Monteith (represented by Principal Dr. Michael George); second place, Paxon students Stephen Akita, Erly Cherizar, Wyatt Miller, and Michael Spohn; and third place, Paxon students Darryl Lamar, Jasmine McGee, Emily Montelongo, and Natasha Seerattan.
We are proud of these students for creating powerful messages that inform, inspire, and resonate with our community.
Congratulations to our winners: first place, Atlantic Coast High School student Sena Monteith (represented by Principal Dr. Michael George); second place, Paxon students Stephen Akita, Erly Cherizar, Wyatt Miller, and Michael Spohn; and third place, Paxon students Darryl Lamar, Jasmine McGee, Emily Montelongo, and Natasha Seerattan.
We are proud of these students for creating powerful messages that inform, inspire, and resonate with our community.
CLASSROOM CONNECTION CREATES CONFIDENCE - Mrs. Durheim at Greenfield Elementary receives today’s Team Duval Shoutout for the care and intentionality she showed in helping a student feel confident wearing his new glasses. After noticing his hesitation, Mrs. Durheim wore her own glasses to school to model that glasses are not only okay, but cool and “impressive.” Her simple yet powerful gesture helped her student feel special and excited, and he went home eager to wear his glasses with pride. Mrs. Durheim’s ability to build classroom community and nurture student confidence exemplifies the heart of a strong kindergarten classroom. Thank you, Mrs. Durheim, for seeing every student and helping them shine!
