In Jacksonville, the spotlight shines on the top contenders for the VyStar 2025 Teacher of the Year award, with five standout educators getting a much-deserved nod. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier commended these individuals, saying, "It's celebrating teachers and this is an opportunity for me as well as all of our sponsors to really pour into our teachers and tell them that they have purpose and impact," according to a statement obtained by Duval County Public Schools. The anticipation culminates in the EDDY Awards on January 18th, where one winner will emerge from the impressive lineup.
The finalists learned of their selection in a series of surprise classroom visits on December 13th. Vincent Taylor, representing Cedar Hills Elementary, expressed his emotions with a dance, saying to Duval County Public Schools, "Words can express how great this feels." At Loretto Elementary, Kimberly Niebauer, a gifted education teacher with 25 years of experience, was stunned by the honor. "I'm honestly stunned, like I didn't expect this...so to do this now just feels incredible," Niebauer shared with the team that greeted her.
The list of finalists also includes Aubrey Albaracin from Greenland Pines Elementary, who specializes in special education for third and fourth grade students. Albaracin was moved by the recognition and couldn't put her feelings "into words" as noted in a statement to Duval County Public Schools. Meanwhile, at San Jose Elementary, third grade reading teacher Stephanie Weathington was showered with roses when she received the news, expressing her excitement about being recognized.
The final name rounding out the list of exemplary educators is Michael Steinhardt of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, a social studies teacher who found the prospect of being a top-five finalist "just insane to think about," as he told Duval County Public Schools. Each of the teachers received not just accolades from colleagues and students, but a bouquet of flowers marking the occasion, signaling not only a recognition of their commitment to education but also a symbolic embrace of the community's gratitude for their tireless work.
