Melissa Anne Matz teaches in Clay County and was recognized for her excellence in teaching on Thursday. She was selected from nearly 185,000 public school teachers.Matz is a seventh-grade math teacher at Lakeside High School and she has been the head of the department since 2015.Mail-in ballots hit the post office Thursday: What you need to know to ensure your vote counts
Throughout her tenure, she has made it a point to speak with every student who walks into her classroom in a way that is essential for teaching math. Additionally, she has worked with college interns, become the chairperson for the school’s advisory committee and she is a school representative for district curriculum-map writing.
As the winner, Matz will receive $20,000 from the Florida Department of Education, a tuition waiver to pursue a graduate degree from the Florida State University College of Education and a two-year Florida College Scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Board to give to a student of her choice. The rest of the finalists will receive $15,000 and the other Teacher of the Year district winners will receive $10,000.
Congrats and a fellow teacher: keep up the good work. Your work does not go unnoticed by your students and your community.😄