Dear Friends of Silverfield College,

I am pleased to share several significant accomplishments and events that occurred in our college throughout the final month of the Spring 2026 semester.

We were thrilled to celebrate more than 250 new Silverfield College graduates during the Spring 2026 Commencement on Friday, May 1. Congratulations to all of our newest alumni on this milestone. We are excited to see the impact they make in their careers!

On behalf of philanthropist Mr. Gilchrist Berg, four Jacksonville teachers from the Duval County Public Schools system were surprised with the 2026 Gladys Prior Award for Career Teaching Excellence and $17,000 each, one of the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation. The four teachers honored at the event's 29th Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, May 5, combine for more than 100 years of dedication to serving students in the classroom.

The Silverfield College participated in the annual American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference this month. A total of 19 faculty and staff members delivered 18 total presentations from April 8-12 in Los Angeles, Calif. The conference is widely regarded as the world's largest gathering of education researchers, featuring more than 2,500 sessions that span the full spectrum of educational disciplines.

We also recently hosted the 18th Annual Silverfield Student Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 16, at the Andrew A. Robinson Jr. Theater. More than 60 students and faculty were honored with awards and recognition for their achievements during the 2025-26 academic year. This involved programs from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum and the Department of Leadership, Organization and Community Impact, as well as acknowledgments to club leaders and student recruiters.

As we officially close out the spring semester, I wish you all a wonderful summer break, as we continue to enhance the impact of our work and build an even stronger future for our students and community.

Sincerely,

The University of North Florida Silverfield College of Education and Human Services (SCOEHS), on behalf of philanthropist Mr. Gilchrist Berg, surprised four Jacksonville teachers on Thursday, April 16, with the 2026 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence and $17,000 each, which is one of the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation.

The 2026 award winners are:

Suzanne Copley, an ELA and gifted teacher at Sandalwood High School

Kim Kirton, a fourth-grade reading, writing and social studies teacher at Kernan Trail Elementary School and UNF alum

Jennifer Farrell, a seventh-grade civics teacher at LaVilla School of the Arts and UNF alum

Cristina Ledford, a music instructor and marching band director at Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies High School

The four teachers have more than 100 years of combined experience serving students in the classroom.

The Silverfield College of Education and Human Services hosted its 18th Annual Student Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 16. This event brought together students, faculty, families and friends to recognize the academic excellence, leadership and service that defines our college community. Each program selected students who exemplify dedication to their field and a commitment to making a difference. It also included faculty recognitions, spotlighting exceptional mentorship, scholarly contributions and service that helps shape the next generation of educators and leaders.

On Friday, May 8, the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services celebrated its outstanding high school seniors from the UNF Virtual Teaching Academy, as they completed their dual enrollment journey of up to 12 credit hours. Through hard work and a passion for education, a total of 50 students from Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties balanced high school and college coursework while preparing for their bright futures. We’re proud to be part of their journey and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make in their next chapter.

Dr. Rakesh Maurya, associate professor of school counseling, was the Silverfield College recipient of the High-Impact Research Article Award at the UNF Scholars Transforming Academic Research Symposium (STARS). This award recognizes faculty who were authors within the past five years of a high-impact research article, as measured by total Web of Science citations. His research article was titled "A qualitative content analysis of ChatGPT's client simulation role-play for practising counselling skills." Read the story.

Dr. Han Soo Kim, assistant professor of sport management, was named the poster winner for the tenure-track faculty category at the UNF Scholars Transforming Academic Research Symposium (STARS). The STARS Poster Competition provided an opportunity for faculty to share their research and scholarship with UNF colleagues, as well as make connections across campus. Each faculty and staff attendee had the opportunity to select posters that they felt best demonstrated excellence in presentation, content and impact of research. Read the story.

Dr. Diane Yendol-Hoppey, professor of teacher education, was awarded the College of Education Alumni Excellence Award at the 2026 Penn State Alumni Society Awards. The Alumni Excellence Award is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of the College of Education. It recognizes career-long sustained excellence of contributions and achievement in the nominee's chosen profession. Read the story.

Xavier Rozas, director of the STEP (Solve, Tinker, Explore, and Play) Lab and assistant director of Northeast Florida Center for Science Technology Engineering and Math Education (NEFSTEM), was awarded the Gabor Award for Collaboration and Impact at the 2026 UNF Professional Development Forum. He was honored with the award on Thursday, May 7, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center. See the pictures.

Dr. Steve Dittmore, dean of Silverfield College, was honored at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference with the Distinguished Senior Scholar Award from AERA SIG #164 Research Focus on Education and Sport. This award recognizes a senior scholar who has made substantial and enduring contributions to scholarship at the intersection of education and sport and who demonstrates excellence through a sustained record of influential research. Read the story.

UNF Poll: Florida Places Its Bets, and Pushes Back

In a poll from the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) and Sport Impact Jax (SIJ) of 823 registered Florida voters, nearly one in four Floridians (24%) report ever placing a sports bet through an online or mobile application, and 21% have placed a sports bet at least a few times in the past year. Read more at the Silverfield Newsroom.

UNF celebrates innovation and achievement at 2026 STARS reception and awards ceremony

The University of North Florida proudly hosted the 17th annual Scholars Transforming Academic Research Symposium (STARS), recognizing outstanding achievements in research, scholarship and creative activity across all disciplines. Read more at the Silverfield Newsroom.

Faculty and staff deliver presentations of innovative research at 2026 AERA Conference

A total of 19 faculty and staff members from the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida delivered 18 presentations at the 2026 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual conference from April 8-12 in Los Angeles, Calif. Read more at the Silverfield Newsroom.

UNF student fulfills lifelong dream of becoming a teacher in deaf education

When Mikayla Waters was in eighth grade, she had the opportunity to serve as a teacher’s aide for a kindergarten class at a nearby elementary school. That's when she knew she was destined for a future in the classroom. Read more at the UNF Newsroom.

May 12, 19 and 26, 2026 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. | Online / Virtual

Join us for a Live Book Club Series, as the Seven Bridges Writing Project is hosting three live book club sessions on Tell It Slant, which is a powerful guide to creative nonfiction by Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola. Readers will gain immediate access to writing and teaching resources designed to support both writers and educators.

Register today.

June 15-17, 2026 | Tom and Betty Petway Hall, Bldg. 57

This dynamic three-day professional development experience is designed for K-12 teachers and district leaders across Northeast Florida. Workshops are led by both UNF faculty and practicing teachers. Participating teachers will earn professional development credits and become part of an ongoing reading and writing community.

Register today.

Silverfield College Of Education and Human Services

University of North Florida

1 UNF Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32224

(904) 620-2520