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Milan Thompson serves as the Senior Manager of Data and Research. A fifth-generation native of Jacksonville, FL, alumna of Duval County Public Schools, and a two-time graduate of Florida A&M University. Milan learned the importance of and need for high-quality at an early age. Milan sought to continue her family’s legacy and received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Management and Master’s degree in Public Administration.

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.

Vincent Taylor, the 2025 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year, reflects on the surreal moment his name was announced and the months of celebration, gratitude, and responsibility that followed. From receiving generous prizes to being recognized across the community, the experience has been humbling—especially knowing it came from a district filled with exceptional educators. As he looks back, Taylor says the honor deepened his sense of purpose: not only to teach his students, but to serve as an ambassador for the profession, countering negativity with pride and positivity. Being Teacher of the Year wasn’t just a title for a year—it’s a lifelong commitment he carries with gratitude and joy.

More than 175 outstanding Duval County teachers are being celebrated for their dedication and impact in the classroom this school year. One of them will be named the 2026 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year at the EDDY Awards, presented by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), on Jan. 24,  2026. 

Nineteen parent leaders have embarked on a 20-week journey to strengthen their leadership and community engagement skills as part of Cohort VII of Parents Who Lead (PWL) — a one-of-a-kind program empowering parents to become advocates and changemakers for children across Jacksonville. 

JPEF, in partnership with Community First Cares Foundation and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF), is once again joining forces to double donations for Duval County classroom projects through the DonorsChoose platform. 

This annual initiative—now a valued tradition—matches every donation made to eligible Duval County Public Schools projects on DonorsChoose.org, ensuring that community support goes twice as far in putting essential tools and resources into the hands of local students and teachers. The funding benefits teachers for innovative programs not normally possible through traditional budgets.

Across the country, the US is experiencing a mass exodus from the classroom as large numbers of students have stopped showing up for school. The causes range from responses to COVID-19 and other public health concerns to baseline attendance problems. Even with the spike from the COVID era, there continues to be an elevated chronic attendance problem. Researchers in Michigan have surveyed their state to discover which practices are being implemented to solve this problem, how well those practices are breaking down the barriers that students are facing, and their ultimate impact on student attendance. 

Technology is changing how students learn and how people work. This fall, education and business leaders from across Northeast Florida will gather to chart a path towards a future where students are equipped to thrive in the rapidly evolving workforce.

Duval County Public Schools just received an “A” overall for this academic year! What does that mean?

I care deeply about the success and well-being of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund because I care deeply and sincerely about the success and well-being of the great City of Jacksonville, Florida, and the northeast Florida region at large.