ORANGE PARK – As the second half of the school year gets under way, the Clay County School District took a moment to honor some of its outstanding employees at the 2019 Clay County Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year Awards.

Nominees, both teachers and faculty, gathered on stage at the Thrasher-Horne Center on Tuesday night as their friends, family, students and coworkers waited in the audience to find out who won. Ultimately, Fleming Island High School’s Jason Poole won Clay County Teacher of the Year, while Stephanie Melton of W. E. Cherry Elementary received the School-Related Employee of the Year award.

“The other four teachers were phenomenal teachers too. I kinda figured one of them would win just because you’re up against such amazing competition,” said Poole, a language arts and social studies teacher who also coaches the school’s boy’s cross-country team. “It’s just humbling to be on stage with people like that.”

Melton, a W.E. Cherry alum, works as an ESE behavioral health assistant. She’s also opened her home to a family with autistic children.

“I do my job because I love it, and I have great support and great leadership,” said Melton, who also thanked her family and coworkers.

While teachers and staff were the focal point of the night, there was still plenty of time for some talented performances from some Clay County students. A number of student-led acts, including the W.E. Cherry Elementary Cherry Pickers, the Lakeside Junior High Drumline and the Clay High School Show Choir, kept the audience engaged and energized.

While only one individual from each category won an award, there were a total of 85 nominees between the two categories, and each category had five finalists. Teacher of the Year Finalists included Denise Carmichael of Coppergate Elementary, Scott Boyer of Lakeside Junior High, Melissa Parker of Middleburg Elementary and Monica Claridge of S. Bryan Jennings Elementary.

School-Related Employee of the Year Finalists included Melodie Ryan of Grove Park Elementary, Judy Collins of Lakeside Junior High, Michelle Deakin of Middleburg Elementary and Eugene Jenkins of Ridgeview High School.

Superintendent of Schools Addison Davis, after the ceremony, noted how proud he was of the teachers and faculty that were in attendance.

“These individuals exemplify the core values of respect, integrity and hard work,” Davis said. “They get a chance to be a role model for all of our teachers in Clay County for the next year. I’m just excited for them and their future opportunities.”