Teachers nominated for 2027 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year EDDY Award

Nearly 170 teachers have been selected by their peers to represent their schools as Teacher of the Year for the 2026–2027 school year and to compete for the title of 2027 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year.  The teacher who will represent all of Duval County in the Florida Teacher of the Year competition will be announced at the EDDY Awards, presented by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), on Jan. 23, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.

The Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding Duval County public school teachers whose professionalism, meaningful connections with students, and passion for teaching make a lasting difference in students’ lives.

After schools submit their nominees for Teacher of the Year, a diverse selection committee convened by JPEF narrows the field down to 15 semifinalists. The semifinalists are further narrowed down to five finalists through a selection process that includes observing the teachers in the classroom. 

“Every day, our teachers bring dedication, creativity, and care to the demanding work of helping students learn and thrive,” said Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, president of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. “Duval County Public Schools’ A grade reflects that hard work and the commitment of educators across our district. These Teachers of the Year exemplify the talent and passion behind that success, and we look forward to celebrating their stories and impact at the 2027 EDDY Awards.”

VyStar’s purpose is to Do Good and Lead by Example, especially when it comes to supporting local education foundations and their efforts to celebrate and elevate teachers in their communities. VyStar is the title sponsor for the EDDY Awards.

"Great teachers do more than educate. They inspire confidence, open doors, and help prepare young people for the future," said VyStar SVP/Foundation President Patricia McElroy. "VyStar is proud to join the Jacksonville Public Education Fund in celebrating the educators nominated by their peers and recognizing the lasting impact they make on students and our community every day."

“Our teachers are the heart of the Duval school district, and these outstanding educators represent the very best of our profession,” said Dr. Christopher Bernier, superintendent of DCPS. “The impact of a great teacher extends far beyond the classroom. We are proud to recognize these Teacher of the Year honorees for the difference they make in the lives of students every day.”

The 169 School Teachers of the Year

Mohamed Alemam, A. Philip Randolph College & Career Academies

Joyce Moussa, Abess Park Elementary School

Rebecca Snodgrass, Alden Road Exceptional Student Center

Jeffery Warwick, Alfred I DuPont Middle School

Karen Clance, Alimacani Elementary School

Blayne Sanders, Anchor Academy School

Eric Koff, Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology

Kedra Scott, Andrew Robinson Elementary School

Shackera Walker, Arlington Elementary School

Andrew Fisher, Arlington Heights Elementary School

Latrecia Belle, Arlington Middle School

Ryan Barber, Atlantic Beach Elementary School

Chad Cushnir, Atlantic Coast High School

Roger Emery, Baldwin Middle-Senior High School

Kendall Seefried, Bartram Springs Elementary School

Kaitlyn Shallar, Bayview Elementary School

Kristin Hackworth Mincey, Beauclerc Elementary School

Mya Bass, Becoming Collegiate Academy

DuShuana Anderson-Cooksey, Biltmore Elementary School

Mikayla Shuford, Biscayne Elementary Leadership Academy

Troy Way, Biscayne MYcroSchool

Maribel Brucal, Bridge to Success Academy High

Yvette Laney-Williams, Bridge to Success Academy Middle

Layney Giles, Brookview Elementary School

Krista Hitson, Cedar Hills Elementary School

Ariel Copeland, Central Riverside Elementary School

Ashley Woods, Chaffee Trail Elementary School

Tara Lowczys, Chaffee Trail Middle School

Barbara Hoy, Chets Creek Elementary School

Michelle Foran, Chimney Lakes Elementary School

Vanessa Richmond, Crown Point Elementary School

Normita Thomas, Crystal Springs Elementary School

Mikie Temples, Darnell Cookman School of Medical Arts

Marlena Nixon, Dinsmore Elementary School

Patti Cowgill, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Krista Dunn, Duncan U. Fletcher High School

Andrew Follensbee, Duncan U. Fletcher Middle School

Lisa Davey, Duval Charter School at Southside

Audrey "Allison" Bruinsma, Duval Virtual Instruction Academy

Dana Young, Edward H. White High School

Lachelle Golden, Englewood Elementary School

Bryan Turner, Englewood High School

Alexis Wilson, Enterprise Learning Academy

Crystal Hunt, First Coast High School

Margie Adams, Fishweir Elementary School

Latanya Dewberry, Fort Caroline Elementary School

Lawrence Buckner, Fort Caroline Urban Arts Academy

Larry Wells, Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology

Kimberly Simmons, Garden City Elementary School

Heath Schopp, GLOBAL Arts

Stacy Laabs, Global Leadership Academy - Discovery 3-8 Campus

Kimberlyn Fowles, Global Leadership Academy High School

Marilyn White, Grand Park Education Center

Felix Santiago, GRASP Academy

Michelle Durheim, Greenfield Elementary School

Desiree Tokarek, Greenland Pines Elementary School

Karen Robertson, Gregory Drive Elementary School

Anita Feltman, Hendricks Avenue Elementary School

MiChandra Williams, Highlands Estates Academy

Audrea Jones, Highlands Middle School

Patricia Fox, Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary School

Melissa Greene, Holiday Hill Elementary School

Andi Petit-Perrin, Hospital Homebound

Stephanie Hamm, Hyde Park Elementary School

Dyneshia Thomas, IDEA Bassett Academy

Nashuwanda Francois, IDEA Public Schools Regional (IDEA Compass)

Deta Weaver, J. Allen Axson Montessori School

Vanessa Pinto, Jacksonville Beach Elementary School

Alexia Gordon, Jacksonville Heights Elementary School

Jennifer Sullivan, Jacksonville STEM Academy at Eugene Butler

Robert Wesley, James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School

Virginia Anderson, Jean Ribault High School

Sha'Terraca Barnes, Jean Ribault Middle School

Deborah Martin, John E. Ford PreK-8 English/Spanish Montessori School

Bridget Moore, John Love Early Learning Center

Jennifer Thompson, John Stockton Elementary School

Kali Ramos, Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership

Andrew Ohmann, Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development School

Ricardo Doylet, Kernan Middle School

Lauren Coutu, Kernan Trail Elementary School

Tarria Franklin, KIPP Bessie Coleman Academy

Aisha Rees, KIPP Bold City High School

Aysia Blackman, KIPP Impact Academy

Clayton Riddley, KIPP VOICE Academy

Yara Fields, Lake Lucina Elementary School

Kasia Leung, Lake Shore Middle School

Glenn McMillian, Landmark Middle School

Nicole Watts, LaVilla School of the Arts

Samantha Gullett, Lone Star Elementary School

Ebony Griffin, Lone Star High School (MYcroSchool)

Kim Ramirez, Long Branch Elementary School

Ashley Ford, Loretto Elementary School

Michelle Stiffler, Louis S. Sheffield Elementary School

Tera Sinaly, Love Grove Elementary School

Patricia Raymer, Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary School

Kyrina Moultrie, Mandarin High School

Danielle Kulwicki, Mandarin Middle School

Hope Klusmeier, Mandarin Oaks Elementary School

Davar Duhaney, Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School

Tonya Smith, Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Middle School

Kasi Maguire, Mayport Coastal Sciences Elementary School

Aurelie Drexler, Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School

Erika Branch, Merrill Road Elementary School

Andrew Natividad, Mount Herman Exceptional Student Center

Lyndzee McClure, Neptune Beach Elementary School

Nelcia Roehm, New Berlin Elementary School

Octavia James, Normandy Village Elementary School

Keisha Cotton, North Shore Elementary School

Kadian Bartley, Northwestern Legends Elementary School

Tammy Youmans, Oak Hill Academy

Samantha Miller, Oceanway Elementary School

Ginger Gipson, Oceanway Middle School

Leah Laning, Ortega Elementary School

Kelsey Betts, Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center

Audrey Scott, Parkwood Heights Elementary School

Mai Keisling, Paxon School for Advanced Studies

Trinise Evans, Pickett Elementary School

Kendra Daly, Pine Forest School of the Arts

Liza McGlockton, Pinedale Elementary School

Renee Mann, R. L. Brown Gifted and Talented Academy

Lisa Dove, Ramona Boulevard Elementary School

Patricia Valerio, Reynolds Lane Elementary School

Kathleen Seidel, River City Science Academy Elementary

Jessica Griffith, River City Science Academy Innovation

Christina Simpson, River City Science Academy Intracoastal

Lou Ann Brown, River City Science Academy Mandarin

Monica Viggiano, River City Science Academy Middle-High

Wendy Cox, River City Science Academy Southeast

Colleen Damone, Riverside High School

Denise Porter, Rufus E. Payne Elementary School

Sara Henry, Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

Felecia Cogdell-Hancock, Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School

Ja'Quana McDonald, S.A. Hull Elementary School

Vicki Scott, Sabal Palm Elementary School

Alex Boadu, Sadie T. Tillis Elementary School

Evelyn Garland, Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School

Cristina Ledford, Samuel W. Wolfson School for Advanced Studies

Shirley Gayle, San Jose Elementary School

Wendy Campbell, San Jose Preparatory

Melissa Martins, San Jose Primary School

Kaileigh Deckert, San Mateo Elementary School

Cassandra Ricci, San Pablo Elementary School

Lauren Coverstone, Sandalwood High School

Rebekah Romer, Seabreeze Elementary School

Tenika Tankard, Smart Pope Livingston Elementary School

Jasmin Andrews, Somerset Academy Eagle Campus Elementary

Chinnery King, Somerset Academy Eagle Campus Middle

Chelsea Scott, Southside Estates Elementary School

Mamdouh Mahgoub, Southside Middle School

Maria-Elena Hewett, Spring Park Elementary School

Di'Asia Hall, Springfield Middle School

Mallory Melady, Stanton College Preparatory School

Marquel Mayo, Terry Parker High School

Teresa Carter, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

Tonia Fuller, Tiger Academy

Princess Stella Pedro, Timucuan Elementary School

Chandra Collier, Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School

Avis Collier, Twin Lakes Academy Middle School

Leslye Anderson, Venetia Elementary School of the Medical Arts

Christina Nelson, Waterleaf Elementary School

Mischa Allen, Wayman Academy of the Arts

Raechel Karioki, West Riverside Elementary School

Troy Bennett, Westside High School

Anne Montalto, Westside Middle School

Lovely Grace Japitana, Westview K-8

Amy Martinenza, Whitehouse Elementary School

Larissa Williams, William M. Raines High School

Claire Burgess, Woodland Acres Elementary School

Candice Cobb, Youth Crisis Center