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Parents Who Lead gave Marty Williams more than leadership training. Over 20 weeks, it helped her find her voice, build community with other parents, and better understand how advocacy can shape schools, systems, and opportunities for children across Duval County. What began as a room full of strangers became a family of parent leaders united by a shared commitment to public education.

In this powerful reflection, Marty shares how the program pushed her beyond her fear of public speaking, helped her see the strength already within her, and planted seeds of courage not only in the parents who participated, but in the children watching them lead. Her story is a reminder that parent leadership is not just about speaking up; it is about showing up, growing together, and becoming part of the change our schools and students deserve. 

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8) is a perfect time to show support, recognition, and appreciation for our public school teachers in Duval County.

As a board member of the Jacksonville Public Education Foundation (JPEF) and CEO and President of Community First Credit Union, I understand our strong community has been built over time through shared effort, steady leadership and commitment to our children. As a proud product of Duval County Public Schools, I developed a career path here in Jacksonville as a direct result of the impact of one important teacher in my life.

Duval County teachers are a cornerstone of our community. Every day, they do far more than teach lessons—they shape futures, lift families, and invest deeply in the whole child.

My appreciation for educators started early. My mom retired from teaching in Duval County, and the care and dedication she showed her students left a lasting impression on me. She believed in teaching and caring for the whole student—academically, emotionally, and personally. She was the first teacher who truly inspired me and showed me how engagement and compassion can completely change the learning environment.

Nick Nelson teaches at the same school his sister once attended. After she died at age 9, his family received a box containing the contents of her desk from Sabal Palm Elementary School, including notes she had been taking just before her death.

“She was planning on coming back to school,” Nick said. “Instead, we were going to her funeral.”

That experience stayed with him. It shaped how he thinks about time, presence, and the importance of being intentional about the people and moments that matter most. It also informs the message he now shares with fellow educators through his new venture, Teacher Fuel Co.

By 2030, more than 70% of jobs will require education or training beyond high school, and employers consistently say skills like communication, problem-solving, and collaboration are essential for success. Through the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Educator Industry Immersion experience, supported by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), teachers at Oceanway Middle School have been working to ensure students begin developing those skills now.

This year, a field trip to the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee gave Loretto Elementary School teacher Kim Niebauer's 4th and 5th grade students an immersive, hands-on STEM experience that brought space exploration to life. Funded through a Jacksonville Public Education Fund grant and support from the Florida Association for the Gifted, the trip allowed students to step into the roles of scientists and engineers through mission simulations, live demonstrations, and interactive learning tied to real-world concepts. Inspired by the Artemis II mission, the experience showed students that discovery, innovation, and big dreams are not out of reach. It underscored the vital role public schools play in nurturing the next generation of explorers.

JPEF has released a new research brief, Reading the Landscape: Strengths, Gaps, and Opportunities in Duval County’s Early Literacy System, offering a detailed look at the current state of early literacy efforts across Duval County.

The brief draws on a review of more than 2,000 empirical studies on birth-to-third-grade literacy interventions, along with local data and interviews with literacy leaders, to examine where Duval County has made progress and what it will take to accelerate results. The research found that effective early literacy efforts depend on nine key components working together in a coordinated system.

Twelve educators from across Duval County have been named the newest Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellows for projects designed to bring new ideas, stronger classroom supports, and real-world learning to students and schools.

This year’s cohort includes two teacher teams and four individual fellows whose projects connect directly to student needs and will support classrooms, schools, and the broader community.

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is proud to join nonprofit organizations from across the country as part of the 2026 Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator, an initiative led by the Global Business Coalition for Education to help shape stronger pathways from learning to employment. JPEF is one of 15 nonprofits selected for this year’s cohort, which brings together youth-serving organizations and business leaders to address a growing national challenge: one in five young Americans is currently out of school or work, even as employers face persistent skills gaps and the demands of an evolving workforce.

Project One Health JAX, Duval County Public Schools, and the Jacksonville Public Education Fund are launching ReconnectED, a new multi-year initiative designed to cultivate student wellness through intentional, screen-free, outdoor learning.

Supported by a $350,000 grant through Project One Health JAX, ReconnectED will help students rebalance screen-heavy school days by bringing learning into natural spaces in a structured, standards-aligned way. The initiative will launch at three pilot schools: SP Livingston Elementary School, Jacksonville STEM Academy (formerly Eugene Butler Middle School) and North Shore Elementary School, with the goal of expanding the learning model to other schools across the District.