ORANGE PARK – The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida made a surprise visit to Traci Green’s classroom on Jan. 10 after selecting her as the Preschool Teacher of the Year.

The prize patrol came to Advent Lutheran Church with Pete The Cat, flowers, balloons and a certificate.

“The award is given to two teachers every year, one is an infant toddler teacher, and the other one is preschool,” said Martha Morrow, the Preschool Director at the preschool. ELC affiliates were encouraged to send applications, honoring teachers across the counties of Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns.

“I nominated Traci. We did a big write-up on her, and then it came to the central office and the council there,” Morrow said. “They read all the nominations and picked one teacher for the year. And Traci won out of all of those counties. It’s a huge honor.”

Green agreed.

“It was very special,” she said. “Before I could even get through the door, two of my kids were saying, “Mrs. Traci, congratulations! You’re the best teacher ever. We love you! Everyone was very emotional.”

Although Green has only taught at Advent for three years and is fairly new to teaching, she has made a long-lasting impression on her students.

“To teach preschool, it really needs to be your passion. Little minds, little brains. That’s what I love about it. I love working on new ideas, new manipulatives. My mind is constantly thinking and creating new ideas for the class and for the school,” she said.

“The great thing about having such a small class is being able to meet their individual needs, whether socially, academically, or developmentally, I’m in tune with all my children. I can challenge the students to their best capabilities and help them reach their potential before going to grade school,” Green said.

The school provides students with safe and nurturing classrooms, kindergarten readiness and academic enrichment. Students learn various subjects, from music, science, cooking, bible studies, reading, and outdoor play.

“We have a standard theme each week. For this week, our theme is sports. All of my lesson plans are focused on sports and the letter ‘P.’ We incorporate the letter of the week into the theme,” Green said.

However, plans don’t always go accordingly. Depending on the day, you have to be flexible. You just have to go with the flow and use every moment as a learning experience for them.”

Besides preparing her class for kindergarten, Green’s goal is to set the basics for making good decisions and teach students how to care for others.

“Whether it's coloring or playing a game together on the floor with their friends, it’s about taking turns and being an encouragement to their friends and telling them good job, providing those life skills they will continue to use into adulthood,” she said.

In and outside the classroom, Green enriches little minds. She also helps keep parents informed by writing monthly newsletters and calendars. “We’re an Advent family,” she said, noting the importance of school-to-home connection. Green also organizes school packets for new students. In 2021 Green started VPK training emphasizing early literacy and now helps run and develop the program for new teachers.

“That’s what makes a teacher of the year, not just teaching the kids and caring for them 100% of the time, but being a team player- there’s never any doubt. She covers everything,” Morrow said.

Green is honored to be selected as its teacher of the year. However, she is more excited about the school. “I was thoroughly honored, thrilled, shocked, surprised. But I’m more excited about people learning about our school. I’m much more excited about the spotlight that our school is getting,” she said. “Something like this is program-changing for us.”

And not only for Advent Lutheran Church Preschool but for all preschools.

“There are other quality small preschools in the community that don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Green said.

Teachers in preschools and child care centers have often been overlooked and underappreciated, not treated on the same level as professional teachers. However, Green hopes to represent what’s best about education and all of the incredible, hardworking people that are educators in our country.

“We are setting the groundwork for the rest of their lives,” she said.

Green will be recognized and awarded at the ELC Annual Conference at the Thrasher-Horne Center On Saturday, Feb. 11, alongside the winner of the Infant/Toddler teacher, Takila Anderson from St. Johns County. The winners will receive a $500 cash prize from Kaplan Early Learning and the Clay Electric Foundation.

“Then they will call up the two winners onto the stage and award them with more prizes, a trophy, and Traci will be recognized by all of her peers,” Morrow said.