Holzendorf Urban Partnership Award

Meet the Recipients

Jasmine Butler

A native of Florida and two-time graduate of the University of North Florida, Jasmine N. Butler has built a career devoted to helping students and teachers reach their fullest potential. A career educator, her path in education began as a high school teacher focused on bottom-quartile learners, an experience that sparked a lasting curiosity about how educators can accelerate growth and cultivate stronger student performance long before students ever reach high school. That curiosity has also led her to middle school education then to the elementary level in search of the earliest and most meaningful points of influence in a student's academic journey.

As a former Instructional Coach and current Assistant Principal at a local K–5 elementary school, Butler's work centers on building teacher efficacy and strengthening students' capacity for learning through relationships and consistency. In addition to her K–12 leadership role, she serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida, teaching courses such as Foundations of Literacy and Differentiating Literacy Instruction. Through this dual role, she helps prepare future educators by emphasizing culturally responsive teaching practices and effective literacy instruction. These practices provide opportunities to bridge theory and practice and strengthen the connection between pre-service teacher preparation and the realities of high-need classrooms.

Butler's decision to pursue an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction grows directly out of this bridge-building work. "Pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction through UNF will provide me with greater instructional understanding, improve my research skills, and strengthen my leadership capacity to better achieve my goals," she explained. She hopes the program will deepen her understanding of how legislation shapes curriculum and instructional practice. She is also focused on sharpening her ability to apply data-driven decision-making within diverse learning environments; with an emphasis on collaboration, applied research which will help her evaluate and strengthen partnerships between K–12 schools and higher education.

For Butler, receiving the Holzendorf Urban Partnership Award is both an affirmation and a catalyst. It is a continuation of her passion for helping educators grow professionally while developing into world-class instructors. This program also supports her interest in teacher retention, particularly young educators who often times struggle at the beginning of their careers. Her greatest enjoyment as an educator comes from mentoring future and current teachers as they develop their strengths in the profession. Jasmine channels that same commitment in to developing others through active involvement in her church, sorority, and other community organizations in Northeast Florida.

Looking ahead, Butler hopes to deepen partnership work between K–12 schools and higher education in ways that are authentic, relevant, and responsive to community needs. Butler believes these three areas will aid in expanding opportunities for clinical experience reflection in literacy instruction, mentoring developing teachers, and building professional learning communities that connect practitioners across every stage of their careers. She is especially driven to help design systems that support teachers new to the profession and improve literacy outcomes through equitable access to high-quality instruction for all students. "I am particularly interested in being a key contributor in developing systems that support new to education teachers and improve literacy outcomes," she shared.

Brianna Goulet

Brianna Goulet is an educator entering her sixth year at Grove Park Elementary, where she has served students in kindergarten, fourth grade, and as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Support Facilitator. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments that foster academic growth, confidence, and belonging for every learner.

As she transitions into teaching sixth grade, she looks forward to continuing to inspire students while building on her experience supporting diverse learning needs. Her collaborative approach to working with colleagues, families, and the school community reflects her dedication to ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed.

A proud University of North Florida alumna and longtime partner within UNF's Professional Development School (PDS) network, Brianna is passionate about mentoring the next generation of educators. She has served as an inaugural year-long mentor for Project PREP, mentored teacher candidates and full-time interns, presented at NASUP, and co-facilitated professional learning through the One Clay Leadership Academy. Her work reflects a deep commitment to collaborative partnerships that bridge theory and practice while advancing educational equity.

As she pursues her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Florida, Brianna hopes to continue strengthening school-university partnerships, expanding opportunities for students with exceptionalities, and preparing educators to meet the diverse needs of all learners. She is honored to receive the Holzendorf Urban Partnership Award and remains committed to building meaningful collaborations that create lasting impact for students, teachers, and communities.