Top Five 2025 Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is proud to announce the five finalists for the VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year for 2025.

One of the five will be announced as the Teacher of the Year at the EDDY Awards on January 18, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. JPEF is proud to continue its partnership with VyStar Credit Union as the title sponsor for the county’s top teaching honor. Selection committees select 15 semifinalists who are then narrowed down to five finalists. The winner will be announced at the EDDY Awards in January and will go on to compete for the title of Florida’s Teacher of the Year. Tickets to the EDDY Awards are available at https://www.classy.org/event/2025-eddy-awards-registration/e620309.

“We appreciate VyStar’s continued support of the EDDY Awards as we celebrate and honor the amazing Teachers of the Year in Duval County,” said JPEF President Rachael Tutwiler Fortune. “The five finalists represent the many outstanding educators we have in Duval County, and we look forward to announcing the 2025 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year on Jan. 18. It’s significant that the announcement comes during Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend when we mark the occasion through acts of service. There is no greater act of service than what all our teachers provide every day shepherding our students to a bright, successful future.”

“In my first months of walking schools, one thing that stands out is the quality of teaching happening in our classrooms throughout the district,” said Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier. “The finalists selected for Teacher of the Year are engaged in life-changing work with their students and are outstanding exemplars of their peers throughout our schools and of the teaching profession as a whole.”

The five finalists are:

Aubrey Albaracin (VyStar Credit Union finalist)

Greenland Pines Elementary

Aubrey Albaracin is a third and fourth-grade teacher at Greenland Pines Elementary School.

Her journey into education is one of resilience and a deep commitment to inclusivity and student success. Originally a nursing student, she discovered her passion for teaching during a pediatric rotation, where she thrived while working with children. Inspired by her first-grade teacher, who helped her overcome bullying and find her confidence, Albaracin left nursing school to pursue her true calling—education.

Since 2013, Albaracin has excelled as a special education teacher, focusing on students with moderate to high support needs. She addresses both academic and social challenges, helping students master IEP goals and develop critical behavioral skills. Through tailored interventions and tools like social stories and collaborative strategies, her students show measurable progress—80% of targeted students increased their social/behavioral skills, enabling greater academic success.

Kimberly Niebauer (Deerwood Rotary finalist)

Loretto Elementary School

Kimberly Niebauer is a trailblazer in integrating technology and innovative teaching methods to transform student learning. As a Microsoft Certified Coach, Innovative Educator Expert, and Minecraft Education Ambassador, she uses tools like Teams, OneNote, and Minecraft Education to create engaging, collaborative classrooms. Her work has been showcased at international conferences and in Microsoft promotional campaigns, highlighting her success with tools like Reading Coach to improve student literacy.

A champion of STEM and project-based learning, Niebauer leads initiatives such as a Minecraft Student Ambassador Club with nearly 150 members, empowering students to learn coding, history, and leadership through game-based projects. She also created a STEM Lending Library, giving teachers access to robotics and coding tools, and sponsors a thriving “Girls Who Code” club to inspire young girls in technology.

Vincent Taylor (Wells Fargo finalist)

Cedar Hills Elementary School

Vincent Taylor is a 27-year veteran teacher who shares his love of teaching with the world.

Taylor’s teaching journey is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to growth. As a math interventionist and coach, he supports some of the most talented teachers in the district, encouraging them to share their expertise and inspiring others to excel. Despite his role as a leader, Taylor embraces the opportunity to learn from every classroom he enters, embodying the belief that great leaders are lifelong students. 

Years ago, he turned his passion for engagement into action by writing a professional development book, “If Instruction Isn’t Engaging, I Quit.” The book’s success catapulted him onto a national stage, where he has presented to over 50,000 educators, helping transform classrooms across the country. 

His impact extends to children worldwide through his beloved “Cornbread” book series, featuring a highly relatable fourth-grader and positive character-building themes. These books, celebrated by children from the U.S. to Tanzania, bring learning to life. His work has even reached local events like Mayor Donna Deegan’s River City Readers, where he shared his message as the keynote speaker.

Michael Steinhardt (Florida Blue finalist)

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts

Michael Steinhardt, a 10th-grade World History Honors and AP World History teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, is a passionate educator dedicated to fostering academic excellence and community engagement. As co-department chair of Social Studies, Senior Class Advisor, and sponsor of student organizations like Black Art, Interact Club, Young Democrats, and Great Decisions, he inspires students to embrace leadership and contribute meaningfully to their community. His work with Black Art earned him the inaugural Cassandra Knox Service Award for promoting creativity and inclusivity. 

In addition to teaching, Steinhardt mentors new educators, providing feedback and best practices, and participates in school governance through the Shared Decision-Making Committee. He also collaborates with the Duval County Public Schools African American History Task Force and the Summer Writing Institute, encouraging students to explore local Black history. 

His innovative teaching methods, including creative projects like mock trials, make history engaging and relevant. In 2023-2024, 100% of his World History Honors students passed the District End of Course exam, with over half achieving “A” scores, far surpassing district averages. Former students frequently credit his class as a pivotal influence on their academic and personal growth, reflecting his commitment to preparing them for success beyond the classroom has impacted their future studies and career choices.

Stephanie Weathington (Deustche Bank finalist)

San Jose Elementary

Stephanie Weathington is a dedicated educator at San Jose Elementary (SJE) whose passion for teaching and innovation has transformed student learning. With experience teaching both kindergarten and third grade, Weathington has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering growth in every student. Through data-driven instruction and personalized strategies, she has helped 96% of her multilingual students achieve measurable progress on district assessments.

As the co-founder of “Burst That Bubble,” a teacher-led initiative addressing literacy gaps, Weathington has been at the forefront of improving reading education. Since its launch in 2021, the program has grown from a four-member team to a collaborative effort involving 12 educators. By integrating tools like self-reflection journals and shared vocabulary, the program has significantly improved literacy proficiency rates at SJE and inspired educators nationwide.