ORANGE PARK – Melissa Matz, Clay County’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, has gotten used to officials barging into her classroom with good news.

The enthusiastic math teacher at Lakeside Junior High is in the final five for the state Teacher of the Year. In February, Matz received the county award at the Thrasher-Horne Center.

Mirroring how local district officials surprised her in her classroom, a team with state Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality Paul Burns, School Board Chairwoman Mary Bolla and superintendent David Broskie did the same thing last week.

“It was amazing again. It’s wonderful for (state officials) to see Clay County. I feel proud. Now, they get to see how supportive Clay is for its teachers. It's starting to be a regular thing,” Matz said with a laugh. “(Students) are used to it.”

Math is not a universally loved subject, but Matz’s practices involve meeting students halfway with real-world examples. Matz aims to talk to every student during her class and tries to take them out of their mathematical comfort zones.

Matz, who has been with the district for about 18 years, is focused on her craft and said teachers aren’t in the profession for money or recognition. The Lakeside Junior High community also did its part to get Matz where she is, the teacher said.

“For our faculty, staff and administrative team we have a common goal, which is doing what’s best for the students,” she said of her school. “We do it to make a difference in our student's lives year after year.”

Matz has served as the school’s Math Department Head and leadership team member since 2015. She is the chairperson for Lakeside’s School Advisory Committee and a school representative for district curriculum-map writing, the district said. Accolades for Matz and the other four finalists came from the highest educational levels of the state.

“My congratulations to Melissa Matz on being named one of five Florida Teacher of the Year finalists,” Incoming state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said in a press release. “As a former teacher, I know the impact that committed educators have on students. Your commitment to teaching math is inspiring.”

Broskie felt Matz's commitment went beyond teaching and that she led students by example.

“Melissa Matz’s students see firsthand that the skills they acquire in her classroom can be applied to a broad spectrum of fields, and therefore, they can become well-rounded members of our community,” Broskie said.

For the state’s evaluation, Matz completed a write-up and described strategies she used, putting together a packet with student work samples.

“It’s a lot of writing, but it’s great because it’s a reflection of how we teach,” Matz said.

The Teacher of the Year process centers around recognition but also networking. Matz is gearing up to attend state events in Tallahassee and Orlando.

“It really brings the state together,” she said.