Duval County Public Schools - Every Student. Every Day.

CELEBRATING A CLASSROOM INTERPRETER – This Team Duval Shoutout praises the dedication, patience, and commitment of Alissa Liufu, a classroom interpreter at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center. Lead Interpreter Danielle Moskowitz says, “Alissa transforms the learning experience by providing clear, accurate interpretation while adapting to each student’s unique needs, adjusting communication style, pacing, or approach to ensure every student stays confident and fully engaged. Her professionalism, patience, and dedication ensure that students have continuous, seamless access to instruction. She is truly an essential member of our interpreter team!”

TEACHER TRANSFORMS BASKETBALL COURT INTO FUN SCIENCE LESSON – Kudos to Gregory Drive Elementary School teacher Camille Conley for coming up with an “out of this world” lesson for her students! Using chalk and plenty of creativity, the fifth grade teacher converted the school’s basketball court into a model of the solar system. By drawing out everything from comets to asteroid belts, Conley used the activity to help explain characteristics of objects in our solar system. Great work!

MAYPORT MIDDLE STUDENTS ENJOY ENGAGING COURTHOUSE FIELD TRIP – Students attending Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School received an interactive, inside look at the justice system thanks to a recent field trip to the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse downtown. The trip, which was made possible by the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, gave students in the school’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program the chance to speak with a judge, participate in an interactive demonstration by the ATF, and learn the differences between federal and state courts. GATE Lead Teacher John Meeks says, "It is one thing to learn about our government in a book or on a screen, but it really hits home when we see it in action where we live." What an exciting opportunity!

A CELEBRATION OF INSTANT DECISION DAY – This shoutout celebrates the success of Riverside High School’s Instant Decision Day, an on-campus event connecting students with colleges, trade schools, and more! Students met with representatives from around Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and had their applications reviewed for on-the-spot decisions. According to School Counselor Dr. Kristi Keefe, “Everyone walked away with something valuable, from advice to admission and scholarship offers! Kudos to those who took the time to prepare and participate. Your hard work is paying off!”

CELEBRATING A "SWEET" SCIENCE LESSON – One Team Duval parent is praising Sandra Pond, a J. Allen Axson Elementary School teacher, for her fun and engaging instruction. Parent Harmon Patterson describes the third-grade teacher as an amazing educator known for hands-on learning and creativity. This includes a recent lesson involving candy eyeball models, as seen in this photo. She goes on to say, “She’s not just teaching science, she’s teaching students how to take notes, stay organized, and truly understand what they’re learning and experience it firsthand.” Great job!

TWIN LAKES ACADEMY MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WORK TOGETHER – This Team Duval Shoutout recognizes a night of teamwork and great learning, thanks to a partnership between Twin Lakes Academy Middle and Elementary schools! Students with the middle school’s Robowolves and Timberbots robotics teams set up tables at a recent STEM Family Night at the elementary school. Students led hands-on learning stations for their elementary peers that included coding and creating binary messages. It was a wonderful time of fostering creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving while also building connections and excitement for learning between the two communities. Great job!

WOODLAND ACRES KICKS OFF CREATIVE ATTENDANCE INITIATIVE – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the start of an exciting new attendance initiative at Woodland Acres Elementary School this quarter! The Attendance Team – which consists of School Counselor Claire Burgess, School Social Worker Tre’Ana Ringer, and Truancy Officer Latasha Brown – has created a vibrant display where students can track their attendance progress and cheer each other on. According to Ringer, “The team is committed to transforming the culture of attendance at WAES by engaging the entire school community. Way to go for making attendance a priority and creating a positive, motivating environment!”

GREGORY DRIVE ELEMENTARY HELPS FAMILIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the tenacity and generosity of the Gregory Drive Elementary School community, demonstrated in a recent canned food drive. Teacher Kenneth Ford says that students, staff, parents, and other community members recently collected over 3,000 canned goods to help feed families over the holiday season. The canned food drive was part of the school’s participation in an event put on by Ed White High School’s DECA program. Way to make a difference in the community!

CELEBRATING SOUTHSIDE ESTATES TEACHER LOLITA BRONSON – Third grade math teacher Lolita Bronson is receiving high marks for how she led her class through Academic Teaming! This model of instruction involves organizing students into small teams to cultivate independent and critical thinking. According to Elementary Region 1 Superintendent Dr. Marianne Simon, Bronson’s lesson was a “masterclass” in how this strategy can be executed. Dr. Simon shares that, “students had clear roles, used question stems to deepen discussion, and facilitators led with confidence after a strategic ‘huddle.’ Incredible collaboration all around!”

TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS - Team Duval, please join us in celebrating five outstanding educators selected as our Teacher of the Year finalists: Michelle Flores of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts; Monica Gold of Arlington Middle School; Valerie Pitts-Wilson of Rutledge Pearson Elementary School; Dr. Mari Richardson of Jean Ribault High School; and Petika Tave of Reynolds Lane Elementary School. Each of these educators is an exceptional representative of the excellence in teaching found across Team Duval. The finalists, along with each school’s Teacher of the Year, will be recognized at the EDDY Awards on Saturday, January 24, 2026, where the Team Duval Teacher of the Year will be selected.

PRESENTATION BY BLKOPS FOUNDATION HONORS VETERANS – The BLKOPS Foundation brought its Road Show to Westside High on October 10, offering an unforgettable experience in Mr. Daniel Tobias Flint’s U.S. History class. Through its program, “Honoring Service: The History and Significance of Veterans Day,” students connected directly with the legacy of America’s veterans. They heard from veterans featured in the Amazon Prime series BLK OPS: The Veterans History Project, who spoke about service, resilience, goal-setting, and living up to one’s full potential—powerful lessons from those who have given so much.

GREGORY DRIVE ELEMENTARY TEACHER GETS CREATIVE WITH CLASSROOM CAFE – When it came time for Gregory Drive Elementary School teacher Nia Johnson to instruct students about figurative language, she got creative. The fourth grade teacher turned her classroom into a cafe, creating fun opportunities for students to use figurative language to describe food! From “Seafood and Similes” to “Menus and Metaphors,” students were learning through an enriching, hands-on activity they won’t forget. Way to go!

TEACHER BECOMES FOSTER CAREGIVER – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the generosity that Southside Middle School teacher Whitney Greenwell demonstrated to a former student in need. Greenwell, upon hearing that she needed a place to stay, became a temporary foster caregiver. Colleague Liz Lawrence shares more: “During those months, Ms. Greenwell provided safety, structure, and steady support, took her to college orientation, moved her into her dorm, and stayed closely involved in helping her prepare for her next chapter. They remain connected and plan to celebrate the holidays together, showing the lasting impact a caring teacher can have and how one compassionate decision can change a life.” Thank you, Ms. Greenwell, for going the extra mile to demonstrate kindness!

STANTON, FLETCHER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SHINE IN COMPETITION – Congrats to two incredible student teams for their outstanding achievements in the UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge. This year's "Break the Vape" challenge invited students to create apps to educate young adults on the physical, mental, and emotional toll of vaping. Here are the winners:

- 1st Place – Stanton College Preparatory School's "Craving 4 Training" Team: Ishika Doma, Samhitha Chandupalta, Sloka Nadakuduru, and Nishka Parikh. Each student earned a $1,000 scholarship.

- 2nd Place & Audience Choice – Fletcher High School's "Vapebusters" Team: Trenton Green, Natalie Searl, Natasha Searl, and Nicole Anderson. Students each earned $750 and $250 scholarships, totaling $1,000 each.

Great job!

TIWANA JOHNSON EARNS UNSUNG HERO AWARD – Congratulations to Brookview Elementary Paraprofessional Tiwana Johnson for being named the 2025 Hyundai and Tony Boselli Unsung Hero! Boselli recently joined Johnson at Brookview to honor her with the award, which recognizes heroes for their outstanding contributions in the community. According to teacher Camilla Douglas, Johnson is “dedicated above and beyond her call of duty” by serving as the school's Volunteer Coordinator, Safety Patrol Sponsor, Leaders of Tomorrow Sponsor, Volunteer Coach for Girls on the Run, Chairman of the Yearbook Committee, and so much more! "She arrives early and stays late and never hesitates to lend a helping hand wherever she is needed. Her enthusiasm, positive spirit, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child inspire everyone around her.” Great work!

JEAN RIBAULT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO CAREER-FOCUSED ORGANIZATION – LaQuanda Paschal shares his celebratory Team Duval Shoutout: "Jean Ribault High School students are building workforce skills and leading with passion! Fifty-three students were inducted into (BPA) Business Professionals of America, a Career and Technical Student Organization, on Saturday, November 15th. Students are learning career-ready skills such as leadership, problem-solving, technology, and professional communication. They are also gaining hands-on experience in business concepts that prepare them for future workplace success. Students will be competing at their State Leadership Conference in February 2026.” Congratulations!  

SHOWING SUPPORT FOR JAMAICA AFTER HURRICANE MELISSA – Students and staff at SP Livingston Elementary are using creativity and words of encouragement to stand by those impacted by Hurricane Melissa’s landfall in Jamaica. The school community wanted to lift the spirits of faculty and staff who are from Jamaica and have family living there. A representation of the Jamaican flag was placed in the front lobby of the school, giving faculty, staff, and students a chance to sign with special messages. Staff also dressed green, yellow, and black – the colors of the Jamaican flag – as a show of support. According to reading interventionist Tamisha Curry, “We stand united in love & prayers!”

RECOGNIZING A CREATIVE, ENGAGING LESSON – This Team Duval Shoutout recognizes a dynamic teaching moment by Jade Menendez, an ELA teacher at Baldwin Middle-Senior High School! Menendez recently transformed her classroom with blacklights, creating a fun atmosphere in which students used neon highlighters to annotate a reading assignment and search for examples of ethos, pathos, and logos. Colleague Heather Dixon shares, “With some black lights and neon highlighters, Ms. Menedez made her lesson something the students could not put down! They were so excited to show me how cool their ELA teacher is, and how fun the lesson was.” Way to go!

CELEBRATING MISS FLORIDA, GRADUATE OF JEAN RIBAULT HIGH SCHOOL – Congratulations to Paris Richardson, reigning Miss Florida and second runner-up in the Miss America Pageant! A 2020 graduate of Jean Ribault High School, Paris credits her time as a Trojan—including cheerleading, leading a health club, and serving as Miss Ribault—for preparing her for success in college, career, and pageants. She recently earned her Master of Health Administration from the University of Florida and is the founder of CROWN of Health, advocating for wellness in communities. Paris also works in medical device sales with aspirations to become a hospital CEO. We celebrate her incredible achievements and her lasting connection to Ribault.