UNF announces the recipients of the 2023 Gladys Prior Award
The University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services (COEHS), on behalf of philanthropist Gilchrist Berg, surprised four local Jacksonville teachers with the 2023 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence and $15,000 each, one of the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation.
The 2023 award winners are Sangita Cody from Neptune Beach Elementary School, Latasha Lawrence from James Weldon Johnson Middle School, Mia Jenkins from Mandarin Oaks Elementary School, and Morgan Jackson from LaVilla School of the Arts.
The Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence were established in 1998 by Gilchrist Berg, founder and president of Water Street Capital, to honor teachers with lifelong careers in education. Over the last 25 years, Berg has given more than $2 million to honor Jacksonville teachers. The award is named after Berg’s fourth-grade teacher at Ortega Elementary School, Gladys Prior. UNF’s COEHS manages the gift and arranges the annual surprise award for each teacher at their school surrounded by students, faculty and staff.
“The UNF College of Education and Human Services is honored to manage the Gladys Prior Awards and have a part in honoring the life-long educators who are making a significant impact in our community,” said Dr. Jennifer Kane, UNF COEHS interim dean. “We are very appreciative to Gilchrist Berg for his continued commitment to recognize and award our local educators.”
Sangita Cody is a varying exceptionalities teacher at Neptune Beach Elementary School and has 18 years of teaching experience in Duval County. Mrs. Cody is a proud alumna of UNF. She began teaching at Neptune Beach Elementary in 2009. Previously, she was a reading coach and taught third and fourth grade. She has been awarded Neptune Beach Elementary’s “Teacher of the Year” twice.
Latasha Lawrence is an eighth-grade biology teacher at James Weldon Johnson Middle School with almost 20 years of practical experience in teaching. Ms. Lawrence received her bachelor’s at Bethune-Cookman University and earned her master’s in health science at the University of Central Florida. She was a semifinalist for the VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year award in 2021.
Mia Jenkins is a fifth-grade veteran teacher with 31 years of experience at Mandarin Oaks Elementary School. Mrs. Jenkins is another proud UNF alumna. She is certified to teach ESOL and gifted students in addition to being CET endorsed. For the 2002-03 school year, Mrs. Jenkins was the chosen recipient for Mandarin Oaks “Teacher of the Year.”
Morgan Jackson is a language arts teacher at LaVilla School of the Arts with 24 years of teaching experience. Mrs. Jackson received her bachelor’s degree in English at Florida State University and earned her master’s degree in English at UNF. She is nationally board certified and endorsed to teach ESOL and gifted students.