Duval County Public Schools - Every Student. Every Day.

PRAISE FOR SAN JOSE PARAPROFESSIONAL AMBER TERRILL – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the work and positive impact of Amber Terrill, a paraprofessional at San Jose Elementary School. Terrill is known by her colleagues for bringing joy and positivity to the school each day. Fellow paraprofessional Lori Frank shares the following: “Her upbeat attitude, genuine kindness, and willingness to support others create an environment where people feel safe, appreciated, and loved. Whether through a friendly smile, encouraging words, or thoughtful actions, Ms. Terrill is a ray of sunshine and makes our days brighter. Her positive energy not only uplifts us, but also inspires us to bring our best selves to work.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RAINES HIGH SCHOOL VIKINGS – The School Board recently honored the William M. Raines High School Vikings, our Class 3A State Champions, at their January meeting. This marks the program’s fourth state title, made even more memorable by an undefeated season and a thrilling 23–22 victory over Miami Northwestern. We proudly celebrate Head Coach Donovan Masline and his coaching staff, quarterback Timothy Cole, the entire football team, Principal Vincent Hall, and the Raines High School community.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS AND WINNER – We are excited to recognize Team Duval’s exceptional assistant principals who were recently honored at a School Board meeting for their outstanding leadership and dedication to their school communities.

Congratulations to Assistant Principal of the Year, Abigail Watson of Southside Estates Elementary, whose leadership and commitment make a meaningful difference for students and staff each day. We also proudly recognize our Assistant Principal of the Year finalists:

Monifa Campbell – Enterprise Learning Academy
Alicia Hinson – Northwestern Legends Elementary
Brianna Jefferson – Highlands Middle
Philip Mitchell – Grand Park High

Thank you to these outstanding leaders for supporting students, empowering teachers, and strengthening schools across Team Duval. Your impact does not go unnoticed!

MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN QUIZ BOWL – This Team Duval Shoutout recognizes the hard-working students who recently participated in the Scholar Bowl Round Robin Academic Quiz Bowl Tournament at Springfield Middle School. Teams from 22 middle schools competed in the fast-paced competition featuring eight rounds of questions spanning English, math, science, social studies, art, and current events. James Weldon Johnson and Oceanway both finished 8-0, earning the top two spots in the standings. LaVilla, Fletcher, and Baldwin Middle finished 7-1, and Westview finished 6-2. The Scholar Bowl Finals tournament will take place on Feb. 7 at Twin Lakes Academy Middle. Great work to all!

TWO TEAM DUVAL STUDENTS EARN TOP MARKS IN ESSAY CONTEST –  Congratulations to Team Duval students Nicole Jiang and Leona Shaffer, whose essays were selected among the top 10 in the 2025 High School Essay Contest sponsored by the judges of the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida! Nicole Jiang is a sophomore at Stanton College Preparatory School, and Leona Shaffer is a sophomore at Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies. Their achievements were celebrated on Dec. 3 at the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse alongside their principals and teachers. Great work!

PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS AND WINNER – We are proud to celebrate Team Duval’s outstanding school leaders who were recently recognized at a School Board meeting for their exceptional leadership and dedication to students, staff, and families.

Congratulations to Principal of the Year, Kimberly Brown of Northwestern Legends Elementary, whose leadership continues to inspire excellence across her school community. We also applaud our Principal of the Year finalists:

Violet Stovall – Pickett Elementary
Davina Parker – Spring Park Elementary
Dr. Cicely Tyson-White – Chaffee Trail Middle
Dr. Truitte Moreland – Andrew Jackson High

Thank you to each of these principals for leading with passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to student success. Team Duval is better because of you!

CELEBRATING A CLASSROOM INTERPRETER – This Team Duval Shoutout praises the dedication, patience, and commitment of Alissa Liufu, a classroom interpreter at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center. Lead Interpreter Danielle Moskowitz says, “Alissa transforms the learning experience by providing clear, accurate interpretation while adapting to each student’s unique needs, adjusting communication style, pacing, or approach to ensure every student stays confident and fully engaged. Her professionalism, patience, and dedication ensure that students have continuous, seamless access to instruction. She is truly an essential member of our interpreter team!”

TEACHER TRANSFORMS BASKETBALL COURT INTO FUN SCIENCE LESSON – Kudos to Gregory Drive Elementary School teacher Camille Conley for coming up with an “out of this world” lesson for her students! Using chalk and plenty of creativity, the fifth grade teacher converted the school’s basketball court into a model of the solar system. By drawing out everything from comets to asteroid belts, Conley used the activity to help explain characteristics of objects in our solar system. Great work!

MAYPORT MIDDLE STUDENTS ENJOY ENGAGING COURTHOUSE FIELD TRIP – Students attending Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School received an interactive, inside look at the justice system thanks to a recent field trip to the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse downtown. The trip, which was made possible by the Jacksonville Federal Court Bar Association, gave students in the school’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program the chance to speak with a judge, participate in an interactive demonstration by the ATF, and learn the differences between federal and state courts. GATE Lead Teacher John Meeks says, "It is one thing to learn about our government in a book or on a screen, but it really hits home when we see it in action where we live." What an exciting opportunity!

A CELEBRATION OF INSTANT DECISION DAY – This shoutout celebrates the success of Riverside High School’s Instant Decision Day, an on-campus event connecting students with colleges, trade schools, and more! Students met with representatives from around Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and had their applications reviewed for on-the-spot decisions. According to School Counselor Dr. Kristi Keefe, “Everyone walked away with something valuable, from advice to admission and scholarship offers! Kudos to those who took the time to prepare and participate. Your hard work is paying off!”

CELEBRATING A "SWEET" SCIENCE LESSON – One Team Duval parent is praising Sandra Pond, a J. Allen Axson Elementary School teacher, for her fun and engaging instruction. Parent Harmon Patterson describes the third-grade teacher as an amazing educator known for hands-on learning and creativity. This includes a recent lesson involving candy eyeball models, as seen in this photo. She goes on to say, “She’s not just teaching science, she’s teaching students how to take notes, stay organized, and truly understand what they’re learning and experience it firsthand.” Great job!

TWIN LAKES ACADEMY MIDDLE AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WORK TOGETHER – This Team Duval Shoutout recognizes a night of teamwork and great learning, thanks to a partnership between Twin Lakes Academy Middle and Elementary schools! Students with the middle school’s Robowolves and Timberbots robotics teams set up tables at a recent STEM Family Night at the elementary school. Students led hands-on learning stations for their elementary peers that included coding and creating binary messages. It was a wonderful time of fostering creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving while also building connections and excitement for learning between the two communities. Great job!

WOODLAND ACRES KICKS OFF CREATIVE ATTENDANCE INITIATIVE – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the start of an exciting new attendance initiative at Woodland Acres Elementary School this quarter! The Attendance Team – which consists of School Counselor Claire Burgess, School Social Worker Tre’Ana Ringer, and Truancy Officer Latasha Brown – has created a vibrant display where students can track their attendance progress and cheer each other on. According to Ringer, “The team is committed to transforming the culture of attendance at WAES by engaging the entire school community. Way to go for making attendance a priority and creating a positive, motivating environment!”

GREGORY DRIVE ELEMENTARY HELPS FAMILIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the tenacity and generosity of the Gregory Drive Elementary School community, demonstrated in a recent canned food drive. Teacher Kenneth Ford says that students, staff, parents, and other community members recently collected over 3,000 canned goods to help feed families over the holiday season. The canned food drive was part of the school’s participation in an event put on by Ed White High School’s DECA program. Way to make a difference in the community!

CELEBRATING SOUTHSIDE ESTATES TEACHER LOLITA BRONSON – Third grade math teacher Lolita Bronson is receiving high marks for how she led her class through Academic Teaming! This model of instruction involves organizing students into small teams to cultivate independent and critical thinking. According to Elementary Region 1 Superintendent Dr. Marianne Simon, Bronson’s lesson was a “masterclass” in how this strategy can be executed. Dr. Simon shares that, “students had clear roles, used question stems to deepen discussion, and facilitators led with confidence after a strategic ‘huddle.’ Incredible collaboration all around!”

TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS - Team Duval, please join us in celebrating five outstanding educators selected as our Teacher of the Year finalists: Michelle Flores of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts; Monica Gold of Arlington Middle School; Valerie Pitts-Wilson of Rutledge Pearson Elementary School; Dr. Mari Richardson of Jean Ribault High School; and Petika Tave of Reynolds Lane Elementary School. Each of these educators is an exceptional representative of the excellence in teaching found across Team Duval. The finalists, along with each school’s Teacher of the Year, will be recognized at the EDDY Awards on Saturday, January 24, 2026, where the Team Duval Teacher of the Year will be selected.

PRESENTATION BY BLKOPS FOUNDATION HONORS VETERANS – The BLKOPS Foundation brought its Road Show to Westside High on October 10, offering an unforgettable experience in Mr. Daniel Tobias Flint’s U.S. History class. Through its program, “Honoring Service: The History and Significance of Veterans Day,” students connected directly with the legacy of America’s veterans. They heard from veterans featured in the Amazon Prime series BLK OPS: The Veterans History Project, who spoke about service, resilience, goal-setting, and living up to one’s full potential—powerful lessons from those who have given so much.

GREGORY DRIVE ELEMENTARY TEACHER GETS CREATIVE WITH CLASSROOM CAFE – When it came time for Gregory Drive Elementary School teacher Nia Johnson to instruct students about figurative language, she got creative. The fourth grade teacher turned her classroom into a cafe, creating fun opportunities for students to use figurative language to describe food! From “Seafood and Similes” to “Menus and Metaphors,” students were learning through an enriching, hands-on activity they won’t forget. Way to go!

TEACHER BECOMES FOSTER CAREGIVER – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates the generosity that Southside Middle School teacher Whitney Greenwell demonstrated to a former student in need. Greenwell, upon hearing that she needed a place to stay, became a temporary foster caregiver. Colleague Liz Lawrence shares more: “During those months, Ms. Greenwell provided safety, structure, and steady support, took her to college orientation, moved her into her dorm, and stayed closely involved in helping her prepare for her next chapter. They remain connected and plan to celebrate the holidays together, showing the lasting impact a caring teacher can have and how one compassionate decision can change a life.” Thank you, Ms. Greenwell, for going the extra mile to demonstrate kindness!