The vibrant energy of educators from across Team Duval was palpable at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, where a “Back to School Bash” unfolded amidst a sea of school shirts and infectious enthusiasm. Teachers filled the venue, engaging in line dancing and swaying to music with oversized beach balls in hand, all to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year and the district’s notable achievement of securing its first-ever A-grade.
“I think it’s a great thing because it gets everyone started, ready, and pumped up for the new school year,” Donnasha Waters, a teacher at Northshore Elementary School, told Duval County Public Schools. Her sentiments seemed to be a common thread among her peers, who partook in an array of spirited activities, their grins betraying a shared anticipation for the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead in their classrooms.
Amidst the festivities, teachers found themselves inspired by a roster of guest speakers, which included Dr. Manny Scott of the Freedom Writers and the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christopher Bernier. Sharing valuable insights and words of encouragement, these figures stood as pillars of support for the educators on the frontline of knowledge dissemination. “This is about making sure our teachers understand that they’re powerful, that they have a purpose, that they have an impact –– and really encourage that going into this new school year,” Dr. Bernier was quoted on the Duval County Public Schools’ official website…