SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR – Team Duval is proud to recognize Jazmin Jerome as this year’s School Social Worker of the Year. Colleagues say Jazmin exemplifies the heart of school social work, serving students, families, and schools with integrity and dedication. As a leader on the Best Practices FOCUS Committee, she not only implements high-quality services but helps shape them, always saying “yes” when support is needed. We celebrate Jazmin and all of our outstanding school social workers for their commitment to removing barriers and helping students thrive every day.
BOOKMARK CONTEST – This Team Duval Shoutout recognizes the winners of a recent Bookmark Design Contest at Brookview Elementary School! Third grader Eva Doan and first grader Delilah Love created patriotic bookmarks centered around themes honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each student and staff member will be given a bookmark of one of the winning designs to mark their place in their favorite books. Librarian Leigh Merrill says, “The talent on display was a fantastic tribute to both our nation’s history and our school's love for reading.” Congratulations!
TEACHER WRITES PLAY – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates a captivating, original performance that Bartram Springs Elementary School teachers put on for their students during Literacy Week! In keeping with an annual tradition, third-grade teacher Cindy Ray wrote a play for teachers to act out. This year’s play, titled “Stepping Inside and Out of a Good Book at BSE,” was about a young girl dealing with a range of emotions as she wrote a book report. Teachers got into character, delivering funny and inspiring performances that encouraged confidence and a love for reading. Great work!
HES HONORS EMPLOYEES & SCHOOLS – Team Duval is proud to recognize outstanding partners from HES Facilities Management for their commitment to maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming learning environments across our schools and offices. This year’s HES Employees of the Year are Nicole Pooler of GRASP Academy, Deandre Smith of A. Philip Randolph Career Academies, Onertta Worthen of Loretto Elementary School, Dagarel Wilkerson of Whitehouse Elementary School, and Cynthia Dennis of Springfield Middle School. HES also recognized five Schools of the Year where staff have helped transform the school environment: Joseph Stilwell Middle School, Englewood High School, Oceanway Elementary School, Chets Creek Elementary School, and John Love Early Learning Center. Congratulations to these dedicated employees and schools for going above and beyond in service to Team Duval.
THANK YOU, MAINTENANCE TEAM - Today, we celebrate the dedicated maintenance team that keeps all 156+ Duval County Public Schools running smoothly. From regulating heating and cooling systems to ensuring safe electrical operations, their work touches every classroom and office. Each year, they complete an average of 60,000 work orders, tackling challenges in some of Florida’s oldest school buildings. With the help of technology, they monitor thousands of AC units, chillers, and boilers across the district, combining expertise and innovation to keep campuses safe and comfortable. On National Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day, we thank these hardworking professionals for their vital role in our schools.
Open Enrollment is Here — Start Saving Smarter - Saving for college just got easier! Our partner Florida Prepaid’s annual Open Enrollment is now live, and new tools make planning simple and affordable. Here’s what’s new: A redesigned website to help you build a personalized plan in minutes; Flexible Prepaid Plan options — pay for one year at a time or choose what fits your budget; Low monthly payments starting at just $29. The sooner you start, the more you save. Lock in today’s college costs and take the first step toward your child’s future with a Florida Prepaid 529 Plan. Enroll now at https://bit.ly/3Z0h1OE.
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS AWARD – Four Team Duval schools are being recognized for raising the bar in student achievement. Holiday Hill Elementary, Andrew Jackson High School, Northwestern Legends Elementary, and Oceanway Elementary have received the Exceeding Expectations Award from the East Coast Technical Assistance Center. Out of 3,437 schools statewide, these campuses stood out for strong performance on the Florida State Assessments, including achievement, learning gains, subgroup performance, and results among low-income students. This recognition highlights the dedication of their educators and the continued success of students working hard to reach new heights.
TEACHER STARTS COAT DRIVE – This Team Duval Shoutout recognizes Karen Robertson, a third-grade teacher at Gregory Drive Elementary School, and her work to collect coats for students. According to peers, Robertson is already an amazing ELA teacher, but her generosity puts her over the top! To help students get through the recent cold and rainy weather, Robertson organized a coat drive. Judging by these photos, the drive was a success, leaving students warm and dry for school. Great work!
HONORING RAINES FOOTBALL COACH, TEAM – This Team Duval Shoutout celebrates new, statewide honors received by the William M. Raines High School football program. The Florida Coaches Coalition (FCC) recently named Head Football Coach Donovan Masline as its Florida Coach of the Year at a ceremony in Orlando. The school’s football team was also named the Program of the Year for the Northeast Region. According to its website, the FCC is one of the largest coaches' organizations in the state, representing more than 16,0000 coaches and 600 schools. Congratulations to Coach Masline, and the entire football team!
CELEBRATING SAN JOSE AP – This Team Duval Shoutout honors Norman Ritz, an Assistant Principal at San Jose Elementary School. According to paraprofessional Lori Frank, Ritz joined the school in August 2025 and hit the ground running! She shares, “From day one, he approached his role with energy and a clear commitment to students and staff. He took the time to learn routines, listen to concerns, and build relationships. Starting a new leadership role is never easy, but he has stepped in with confidence and care - proving to be a positive force and valued leader in our school. We love you, Mr. Ritz!”
HIGHLIGHTING SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS – Team Duval proudly recognizes National School Social Work Week and celebrates the more than 70 dedicated professionals serving students across our district. From home visits and attendance outreach to crisis intervention, group counseling, and close collaboration with school and district leaders, they provide critical support that strengthens our entire school community. Their expertise, compassion, and steady presence help students and families navigate both everyday challenges and complex situations. Above all, they remain committed to ensuring every child has the social, emotional, and academic support needed to succeed. We are deeply grateful for the care and commitment they bring to our schools each day.
SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED – We are proud to celebrate four Team Duval schools earning the Distinguished School Counseling Program Champion Award. These schools have committed to supporting their counselors and fully implementing comprehensive school counseling programs aligned with national and state standards. With district support, each will begin the journey toward becoming an ASCA Recognized Model Program. Please join us in congratulating Hyde Grove Elementary, Parkwood Heights Elementary, Chaffee Trail Elementary, and Jean Ribault High School—and their dedicated principals and counselors—for this outstanding achievement!
CONGRATS PRINCIPAL MUNGIN – We are proud to recognize Leon Mungin, principal of Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academy, as this year’s Laurel Kaden Anderson Administrator Award recipient. Principal Mungin exemplifies exceptional leadership by championing a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model and state curriculum standards. Through intentional collaboration, he ensures school counselors play a vital role in leadership, contributing to shared governance, the School Advisory Council, and the School Improvement Team.
CONGRATULATING MAURICE EDWARDS – We are proud to recognize Maurice Edwards, school counselor at Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School, as this year’s Lucille Crysell School Counseling Award recipient. Through universal, responsive practices, Mr. Edwards has strengthened the school counseling program to ensure every student feels seen, valued, and supported. By honoring students’ diverse languages, backgrounds, and lived experiences, he fosters an inclusive environment where all learners can thrive.
FLORIDA SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR – We are proud to recognize Dr. Brianna Patterson, school counselor at Jean Ribault High School, who has been named the 2025–2026 Florida School Counselor of the Year by the Florida School Counselor Association. Through her leadership, Dr. Patterson increased Early College student retention to over 90 percent and doubled the number of students eligible for the Florida Medallion Bright Futures award. Her work has also sparked a school-wide needs assessment and a shift toward proactive, data-driven student support. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Patterson as she receives a Superintendent’s Coin of Excellence and advances for consideration as a national finalist!
NEW PARENT LEADERS – February is Florida’s Parent Leadership Month, and we’re proud to celebrate five outstanding parents who are making a difference for our students and schools. Congratulations to Duval Schools’ newest District Parent Leaders: Matthew Swain, Shantone Toliver Davenport, Carmella Holmes-Weaver, Tabitha Rice, and Sandra Plaza. Through their commitment to learning, leadership, and service, these caregivers and community members have stepped up as advocates for Team Duval.
SHOUTOUT FOR SAN JOSE'S JAMIE TOWNSEND – This shoutout celebrates Jamie Townsend, a paraprofessional at San Jose Elementary School, described as a “quiet force” that makes the classroom shine. Lori Frank, a fellow paraprofessional, shares the following: “Every day, she turns lessons into moments of discovery...Beyond academic support, Ms. Townsend brings warmth and consistency to the classroom. She notices the small victories: a child learning to share, recognizing letters for the first time, or bravely speaking up. Her ability to connect with students, teachers, and families creates a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and eager to learn.” Thank you, Ms. Townsend!
MEET K9s DAISY AND ROOSTER – We were proud to recognize K9s United and JSO for donating police service dogs Daisy and Rooster to the Duval County School Police Department. As the newest members of the department’s Canine Unit, these K9s represent more than a donation—they reflect a shared commitment to safety, service, and the well-being of our students, staff, and school communities.
We are grateful for this partnership and for the dedicated handlers, officers, and leaders who help keep our schools safe every day.
We are grateful for this partnership and for the dedicated handlers, officers, and leaders who help keep our schools safe every day.
ENGINEERING STUDENTS GET CREATIVE – This shoutout recognizes engineering students at Atlantic Coast High School who used their skills to introduce a creative solution to the campus. According to engineering teacher Frankie Portelos, nearly 3,000 students pass through the school’s Evolv weapon detection scanner daily. However, as students placed their laptops on nearby tables, frequent mix-ups took place. Using the engineering design process, Portelos and his students worked with art teacher Sarah Colado to redesign the tables with a colorful grid system for each laptop. Now, laptop mix-ups are rare. Portelos says, “This project is a powerful example of how district and school support for hands-on, real-world engineering empowers students to solve authentic problems, reduce disruptions, and improve the daily school experience for everyone.”
CELEBRATING TWO SCHOOL COUNSELORS: This shoutout comes in honor of National School Counseling Week, recognizing two outstanding school counselors at Matthew Gilbert Middle School: Albert Buckner and Ke’Yondra Merritt. School social worker Khrystal Whitlock says, “Their kindness, dedication, and willingness to help make them easy to talk to and a pleasure to work with. Thanks to their continued support and proactive efforts, we’ve seen a positive impact on student engagement and a decrease in attendance issues. Their commitment does not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for all that they do.” Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Buckner and Ms. Merritt!
