Junior Achievement of North Florida (JA) has announced that Hope Teper, principal of Englewood Elementary, is its 2025 Educator of the Year. The honor was presented at the 26th Annual JA Hall of Fame, held at the UNF Herbert University Center on May 28, where more than 300 local business leaders gathered to celebrate outstanding contributions to student success.

A passionate and dedicated servant leader, Teper has spent more than 20 years in education — teaching, coaching and leading with a steadfast commitment to students and families.

Since joining Duval County Public Schools in 2003, she has brought her vision for inclusive, values-driven education to life, now serving as principal of Englewood Elementary, a school proud to represent a dynamic and diverse student body, with more than 40% bilingual learners.

“Students need to understand how to build credit, budget, pay bills and plan for retirement in order to be economically literate,” said Teper. “That’s what I love about Junior Achievement. When volunteers come in to teach financial literacy, students are introduced to role models who come from similar backgrounds and a range of financial situations. Then, those students go home and continue the conversation with their families, keeping financial literacy alive beyond the classroom.”

Teper has been a dedicated partner in JA’s mission, ensuring that her students have meaningful access to financial literacy and work readiness programs. Through her leadership, Englewood Elementary has welcomed many JA business volunteers, like those from Bank of America, into the classroom, creating learning experiences that equip students with the skills and confidence to build brighter futures.

“Hope leads with heart,” said Shannon Italia, president of Junior Achievement of North Florida. “She exemplifies what it means to champion students beyond the classroom. Her commitment to her students is inspiring, and her partnership with JA has opened doors for hundreds of young learners.”

To volunteer or donate, go to northflorida.ja.org.