Dr. Mari Richardson teaches Biology and Honors Biology at Jean Ribault High School, where she also serves as Science Department Chair and leads collaborative professional learning communities that strengthen instruction across the school. She creates curriculum resources—from guided notes to labs to Canva-designed presentations—that streamline teaching and boost consistency, while intentionally weaving literacy into her science lessons. Her students’ average Lexile scores rose from 929 to 995, and the school’s ELA pass rate increased from 27% to 33%, reflecting her belief that great science teaching builds stronger readers, thinkers, and problem-solvers. She pursued other careers, but found her calling in 2020 at Ribault, realizing that teaching is not just delivering content—it is building confidence, resilience, and belief in students who often doubt themselves. Watching learners transform from disengaged to motivated is what drives her every day. As the 2026 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year, her message is clear: education is a powerful force for transformation, and when teachers teach with relationships, relevance, and rigor, they unlock potential and help every student see what they are truly capable of.