Dr. Mari Richardson was announced as Duval’s Teacher of the Year at the EDDY Awards, and will now compete for the statewide title.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — At this year’s Eddy Awards in Jacksonville, the Mighty Trojan came out on top.
The 2026 Vystar Duval County Teacher of the Year award belongs to Dr. Mari Richardson, a biology teacher at Jean Ribault High School, where she also serves as chair of its science department. She was selected out of nominees from nearly 180 schools.
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund says that more than half of the students who enter her class have never passed a state exam; however, at the end of the year, 85% end up passing the Biology End of Course exam.
Dr. Richardson’s career has taken her to many places and roles, both inside and outside of the classroom. Richardson earned a Ph.D. in Public Health Epidemiology and worked for the Tennessee and Florida health departments before finding her place at Ribault.
“It wasn’t until 2020, when I began working at Ribault High School as an environmental science teacher that I found what inspired me,” said Richardson. “Working with students who often face academic and personal challenges, I realized that teaching is not just about delivering content, it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a love of learning. Seeing students who once doubted themselves master complex concepts, lead peer discussions, and achieve success on assessments reinforces my purpose every day.”
The school as a whole has made big strides in the last two years. In 2025, it was one of ten Duval County schools to jump two letter grades — from a C school to an A school. The school district also earned an A grade for the first time in its history.
Dr. Richardson’s prize includes cash, classroom grants, and a new car. Like the other honorees before her, she will also join the Jacksonville Public Education Fund Board of Directors as an ex-officio member for the next year.
With the district title under her belt, Dr. Richardson will now compete for the statewide title.
“Dr. Richardson’s story is a powerful reminder of why teaching matters,” said Duval County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Bernier. “She meets students where they are, helps them to exceed their own expectations, and creates a classroom where confidence and achievement grow together. Her leadership at Ribault High School and her unwavering belief in students make her an outstanding educator and a deserving Teacher of the Year. We are honored to celebrate her and excited to see her represent Duval County at the state level.”
Four other teachers were named finalists for their contributions in Duval County classrooms: Michelle Flores (Douglas Anderson School of the Arts), Monica Gold (Arlington Middle School), Valerie Pitts-Wilson (Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary), and PeTika Tave (Reynolds Lane Elementary).
Dr. Richardson succeeds 2025’s honoree, Vincent Taylor, a math interventionist at Cedar Hills Elementary School.