Edelman Fellowship: 12 educators selected to bring new ideas, real-world learning and stronger classroom supports to students across Duval County
Twelve educators from across Duval County have been named the newest Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellows for projects designed to bring new ideas, stronger classroom supports, and real-world learning to students and schools.
This year’s cohort includes two teacher teams and four individual fellows whose projects connect directly to student needs and will support classrooms, schools and the broader community.
The Fellowship provides funding for innovative professional learning opportunities that go beyond traditional development models – whether through international exchanges, advanced workshops, research programs, or other creative educational pursuits. The goal is to inspire teachers to bring new ideas, global perspectives, and renewed passion back into their classrooms.
A selection committee comprised of the Edelman family, former teachers, and community leaders select the fellows each year. A key component of the fellowship is the impact the experience will have on students, schools, and the broader community.
The newest fellows will pursue projects that span literacy, science, school culture, instructional practice, environmental learning, and outdoor education.
At Arlington Middle School, Monica Gold will study muralism, poetry and visual storytelling traditions in Valparaíso, Chile, to build literacy supports for multilingual newcomer students and create classroom resources that help make academic content more accessible.
Chaffee Trail Elementary School teachers Faye Hunt, Kelly Maxwell, and Christina Oxendine will support the development of an outdoor learning environment centered on agriscience, weather, sustainability, and hands-on science, helping students learn in nature through real-world observation and inquiry.
At Duncan Fletcher Middle School, Patrick Kyne will explore volcanic and geologic activity in Hawaii to deepen his knowledge of earth science and bring vivid, real-world examples to lessons on plate tectonics and volcanism.
At Jean Ribault High School, Mari Richardson, Ashley Cozad, Victoria Nolen, Stephanie Parks, and William Griffin will attend the 2026 Model Schools Conference to bring back research-based strategies that support student engagement, stronger school culture and aligned instructional practices.
At Sabal Palm Elementary School, Nick Nelson will participate in an explicit instruction Training of Trainers with Dr. Anita Archer to strengthen teacher confidence, support colleagues through coaching and improve consistency in classroom instruction.
River City Science Innovation teacher Kari Houston will travel to Belize to study coastal ecosystems and invasive species, using that learning to create cross-curricular math and science lessons that help students connect global environmental issues to Jacksonville’s own waterways and coastline.
“These fellowships honor educators who are deeply committed to their students and willing to keep learning in ways that make their teaching even stronger,” said Cindy Edelman, a former art history educator who has been deeply involved with JPEF since its founding and who chaired its Board of Directors in 2012 and 2013. “What makes this program so meaningful is that each fellowship begins with a teacher’s idea, then grows into something that benefits students, schools and the wider community.”
“Each year, these fellows show what is possible when educators are trusted to lead with creativity, expertise, and purpose,” said Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. “Their projects reflect the many ways great teaching can open doors for students, through stronger literacy, deeper engagement, clearer instruction, and learning that feels connected to the world around them.”
The Fellowship is administered by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund and supported by a permanent fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.