Meet the Team: Juana Zargon
7/1/2024
Juana Zargon serves as the Fund Development Manager for JPEF. Juana was born in Argentina but raised in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She moved to Jacksonville in 2016 to attend the University of North Florida. Before joining JPEF, Juana made a significant impact as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher, where her dedication and excellence were recognized by her being named a Top 15 Semifinalist for the Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) Teacher of the Year. During her time as a teacher, she also demonstrated exceptional fundraising abilities, successfully securing resources and support for her students and programs.
Juana holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Florida (UNF) and completed the Educator Preparation Program at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). She is currently working on obtaining the Non-Profit Management Graduate Certificate from UNF. Her diverse educational background and hands-on experience in both teaching and fundraising equip her with a well-rounded perspective and a deep understanding of the needs and challenges within the educational sector.
In her free time, Juana enjoys reading, spending time with her dog outdoors, and traveling.
Tell us about yourself and how you came to JPEF.
I was raised in South Florida and attended Broward County Public Schools from elementary through high school. I moved to Jacksonville to attend the University of North Florida, where I received my bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. After graduating, I began working as a substitute teacher at Duval County Public Schools and eventually obtained my teacher certification.
I spent about three years working as a 4th and 5th grade teacher for students in the ESE program, during which I was nominated for Teacher of the Year. It was through this process that I learned about the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. I am excited to continue helping our students through JPEF's mission.
Why does public education matter to you?
Public education matters to me because it ensures that every student, regardless of their background, has access to the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. It is also important because of the numerous resources it provides to students, from vision screenings and therapies to daily meals.
Tell us about a teacher that impacted your life.
Every teacher I’ve had has impacted my life in some way.
Ms. Bowman, my first-grade teacher at Peters Elementary School, made my transition from Argentina to Florida welcoming. I remember her classroom being a place where I always felt safe and had fun.
Ms. Noufer, my high school’s magnet coordinator, always allowed us to go into her office to share how we felt. As a teenager, I had a lot of feelings, and having that safe space made my high school experience much better.
Ms. Duffy was my mentor teacher at Love Grove Elementary for the past few years. She is the one who encouraged me to become a teacher and helped me every step of the way.