Dr. Mari Richardson named 2026 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year

Dr. Mari Richardson, a biology teacher at Jean Ribault High School, was named the 2026 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year at the 35^th Annual EDDY Awards on Saturday, January 24. Richardson, who has a Ph.D. in Public Health Epidemiology and worked for the Tennessee and Florida Departments of Public Health prior to entering the teaching profession, was selected from nearly 180 Teachers of the Year candidates by a committee of volunteers. 

As the 2026 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year, Richardson will go on to compete for the statewide title. 

Richardson is the Science Department Chair at Ribault High School, serving as an instructional leader who both supports teacher growth and student achievement. In addition, she is a new teacher mentor, providing guidance, resources, and support to novice educators.

She leads her students to gain academic achievement and confidence. More than half the students who enter her biology class have never passed a state exam; however, by the end of the year, 85 percent pass the Biology End of Course exam. She says her students evolve from saying “This is too hard,” to confidently teaching their peers and leading collaborative discussions.

Teaching was not Richardson’s first choice. After graduating from college, she taught a high school science class but left teaching to attend medical school and graduate study. Years later, she found herself back in the classroom; however, she left again for another five years.

“It wasn’t until 2020, when I began working at Ribault High School as an environmental science teacher that I found what inspired me,” said Richardson. “Working with students who often face academic and personal challenges, I realized that teaching is not just about delivering content, it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a love of learning. Seeing students who once doubted themselves master complex concepts, lead peer discussions, and achieve success on assessments reinforces my purpose every day.”

“Dr. Richardson’s story is a powerful reminder of why teaching matters,” said Duval County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Bernier. “She meets students where they are, helps them to exceed their own expectations, and creates a classroom where confidence and achievement grow together. Her leadership at Ribault High School and her unwavering belief in students make her an outstanding educator and a deserving Teacher of the Year. We are honored to celebrate her and excited to see her represent Duval County at the state level.”

“We are honored to celebrate Dr. Mari Richardson as this year’s VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year,” said Patricia McElroy, Senior Vice President/ Foundation President at VyStar Credit Union. “Her leadership and steadfast belief in her students exemplify the impact great teachers make in our community. VyStar is proud to support JPEF’s mission to recognize and elevate Duval County’s finest educators, and we value our ongoing collaboration with teachers through the VyStar High School Branch Program. We are grateful for the dedication they bring to guiding, inspiring and empowering students every day.”

The EDDY Awards teacher of the year program is hosted by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and includes a year-long effort to celebrate and elevate Duval County’s best public-school educators. 

“At JPEF, we are honored to work with outstanding educators every day,” said Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. “The EDDY Awards give us an opportunity to recognize and celebrate their excellence and to express our gratitude for all they do for students and our community. We congratulate Dr. Richardson and know she will be an excellent representative for Duval County in the Florida Teacher of the Year process.”

In addition to a cash prize, classroom grants provided by Deerwood Rotary and Florida Blue, and a new car courtesy of Jenkins Auto Group, Richardson will join the Jacksonville Public Education Fund Board of Directors as an ex-officio member for the next year, as is tradition with every VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. 

Teachers of the year from nearly 180 schools were nominated, and evaluated by committees of volunteers, who ultimately narrowed down to 15 semifinalists and five finalists.