Gabrielle Parzygnat

gparzygnat@jacksonville.com

University of North Florida’s College of Education and Human Services surprised four Duval County public school teachers with the 2020 Gladys Prior Awards through faculty zooms on Wednesday.

Pamela Adams, Mary Mickle, Edward Moore and Jill Sullivan thought they were just attending a faculty zoom meeting when they were told they were this year’s winners. For the last 22 years the college has given out the awards to honor teachers who have spent 10 or more years inspiring students. It is among the nation’s largest monetary awards for teachers, presenting each $15,000.

“This means more than anything to me,” said Mickle said, a music teacher at Waterleaf Elementary School.

She devotes her time to her students by leading the honor chorus, recorder club and is the music director for the school play. She also uses her time to mentor UNF interns and teach adults. She has devoted 29 years of her life to teaching.

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Usually the award would be presented to the teacher by surprising them in their classroom with a big check. Although this could not be done this year due to the pandemic, College of Education and Human Services Dean Diane Yendol-Hoppey still wanted to make the awards special by attending each school’s zoom meeting and personally announcing the winners.

“The Gladys Prior Awards allow us to show our sincere appreciation by recognizing those outstanding teachers who have been dedicated and committed to educating our local youth and making a profound impact in their students’ lives,” Yendol-Hoppey said.

Before Yendol-Hoppey presented each award, she read some of the teacher’s nominations.

One of Adams’ nominators said, “Watching the way she interacts with each student is captivating because she seems to know just what each child needs.”

Adams teaches fifth-grade math and science and has spent all of her 16-year teaching career at Crown Point Elementary School. She is known for devoting her time to her students by helping those with gifted and learning disabilities, volunteering at Title 1 events and sharing lesson plans with colleagues.

Moore could not help from smiling while his nominations were read about him. When Yendol-Hoppey finally announced his name, he was at a loss for words.

“Wow,” Moore said. “I don’t really know what to say. I’m thankful. Thankful to God.”

Moore is a fifth-grade English language arts teacher at Tiger Academy. He has spent 15 years developing rapport with students beyond graduation, attending events he is invited to by his students and serving as a mentor for teacher candidates. He is also a founding member of Brothers Accountable Driven and Determined.

Sullivan, of Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School, also was in disbelief when she was announced.

“This is quite an honor,” Sullivan said. “Thank you so very very much.”

Sullivan has taught at Mayport Coastal for 11 years. She is the science department chairwoman and lead coastal science teacher. She is known for her kindness with her students, her passion for science and her hands-on teaching experiences.

In 1998 Water Street Capital founder and President Gilchrist Berg established the awards for career teaching excellence. Berg had such an impact from his fourth-grade teacher, Gladys Prior, that he created the award to honor her and other teachers who have spent their lives inspiring students. So far Berg has given over $2 million to honor Jacksonville teachers.

Gabrielle Parzygnat: (904) 359-4697