News Summary
Local educators in Jacksonville have received the prestigious Gladys Prior Awards for Teaching Excellence, recognizing their dedication and impact in Duval County Public Schools. Among the recipients is Hope Teper, named Junior Achievement’s Educator of the Year. The awards included a total of $17,000 distributed among four teachers, celebrating their commitment to educational excellence. Established in 1998, these awards have honored countless educators and contributed over $2 million to support teaching in the region.
Jacksonville, FL – Local educators have recently been recognized for their exceptional contributions to teaching, culminating in the prestigious Gladys Prior Awards for Teaching Excellence. These awards highlight the exceptional dedication and impact of teachers in the Duval County Public Schools.
Among the notable recipients is Hope Teper, the principal of Englewood Elementary School, who has been honored as Junior Achievement’s 2025 Educator of the Year. Teper’s commitment to empowering young minds extends beyond the classroom, showcasing her influential role in the Jacksonville education community. Her leadership and straightforward tactics aimed at student success have made a significant difference within the local educational landscape.
Four teachers from Duval County Public Schools received a total of $17,000 in Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence, an amount recognized as one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The award recipients include:
- Nicola Gibson from Annie R. Morgan Elementary School
- Moises Ramos from Beauclerc Elementary School
- Maika Watson from Paxon School for Advanced Studies
- Myra Wright from Riverside High School
The awards were announced by the University of North Florida (UNF), which has been managing these commendations through its College of Education and Human Services. The institution has been instrumental in organizing surprise ceremonies for the winners at their schools, where students, faculty, and staff gather to recognize the achievements of their educators.
Nicola Gibson expressed her gratitude for being acknowledged for her passion for teaching, emphasizing the meaningfulness of the recognition. Moises Ramos compared receiving the award to winning an Oscar, highlighting the appreciation he feels from peers, parents, and his students. Maika Watson noted that her theme song, “Tomorrow” from “Annie,” embodies her commitment to instilling hope in her students, while Myra Wright referred to the award as a “lifetime achievement,” feeling honored to join the ranks of esteemed past recipients.
The Gladys Prior Awards were established in 1998 by philanthropist Gilchrist Berg, who created the awards in memory of his fourth-grade teacher, Gladys Prior. Over the 26 years since its inception, the program has awarded over $2 million to dedicated teachers in Jacksonville, celebrating their essential role in shaping future generations.
Beyond these recognitions, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville received accolades for four of its Art in Public Places projects, which have been recognized among the finest public art installations in Florida. These projects were chosen from among 44 state-wide submissions, adding to Jacksonville’s cultural assets.
In summary, the recent Gladys Prior Awards showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of Jacksonville educators, with substantial financial recognition meant to support and celebrate their ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching. The awards not only honor individual accomplishments but also reflect the overall commitment to educational improvement within the Duval County Public Schools system.
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Additional Resources
- MSN News: Rotary Club of Jacksonville Awards Scholarships
- Jacksonville.com: UNF Philanthropist Gift to Jacksonville Teachers
- Journal Courier: Jacksonville Rotary Scholar Athlete Awards
- UNF Spinnaker: UNF Partners with Philanthropist for Teacher Awards
- First Coast News: Jacksonville Teachers Receive Gladys Prior Awards
- Wikipedia: Education in Florida
- Google Search: Jacksonville teachers awards
- Google Scholar: Gladys Prior Awards
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: Jacksonville education
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
