Category: Achievement

Duval schools invest early in social-emotional learning

Feb. 2, 2021 – The need for social and emotional learning in schools, especially elementary, is clear and Team Duval is addressing that need. Social-emotional learning, the process through which children learn to manage emotions, build positive relationships, and effectively work together with their peers, is weaved into curriculum and classroom routines by elementary instructors […]

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Mandarin teacher selected as Duval Teacher of the Year for 2021

Mandarin High educator selected as 2021 VyStar Teacher of the Year

Jan. 27, 2021 – It’s rare that anyone, especially his students, sees Jim Schmitt speechless. But that’s exactly what the Mandarin High School educator was on Wednesday afternoon when he was announced as the 2021 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. The 27-year teaching veteran, who teaches U.S. History and Global Perspectives at Mandarin […]

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2019-20 Graduation rates released

Duval graduation rates increase in the era of COVID

Jan. 7, 2021 – Duval’s Class of 2020 earned a record-high graduation rate of 90.2 percent according to graduation data released by the Florida Department of Education today. While the upward trajectory was not a surprise – as this continues a 10-year trend for Duval County Public Schools – the 3.7 percentage point jump from […]

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Head shot of Duval superintendent, Dr. Diana Greene

Dr. Diana Greene named 2021 Florida Superintendent of the Year

Dec. 2, 2020 – Duval Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene was named the 2021 Florida Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS); making her the 33rd superintendent and second African-American woman to receive this honor. The announcement was shared Wednesday afternoon during a FADSS virtual conference with more than 60 […]

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15 educators selected as VyStar Teacher of the Year semifinalists

15 educators selected as VyStar Teacher of the Year semifinalists

Nov. 17, 2020 – Congratulations to the the 15 outstanding educators who were selected as semifinalists for VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made Monday by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) who manages the Teacher of the Year process. The 15 educators will go on to be considered as finalists […]

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Students pay tribute to their heroes during Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest Ceremony

Students pay tribute to their heroes during Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest Ceremony

Oct. 21, 2020 – Sixteen years ago, Jose Ascencion Monteagudo-Avila moved from Mexico to the United States with his wife and son and little money. Sometimes earning less than $50 a week, Monteagudo-Avila decided to take a risk by selling his truck and using his life savings to venture into a new career…. So began […]

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Teacher of the Year banner

JPEF Announces nominees for 2021 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year

(Editor’s Note: The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) shared this announcement on Monday, Sept. 21 in a news release. The below is based on that. JPEF’s full release available at https://www.jaxpef.org/news/jacksonville-public-education-fund-announces-the-nominees-for-2021-vystar-duval-county-teacher-of-the-year.) Sept. 23, 2020 — Congratulations to the more than 175 outstanding nominees for the 2021 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year, the district’s […]

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Photo of West Riverside Elementary teacher Gabriella Solano holding a flower bouqet

West Riverside Elementary teacher named inaugural Wolfburg Fellow for Social Justice

(Editor’s Note – The following is reposted with permission from the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. Visit www.jpef.org or contact Stephanie Garry Garfunkel at [email protected] for more information.) Sept. 16, 2020 — Gabriella Solano, a teacher at West Riverside Elementary, was named the inaugural Wolfburg Fellow for Social Justice in Education on Tuesday during a surprise […]

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