UNF surprises four local teachers with $17K Gladys Prior awards
The University of North Florida Silverfield College of Education and Human Services (SCOEHS), on behalf of philanthropist Gilchrist Berg, today surprised four local Jacksonville teachers with the 2025 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence and $17,000 each, one of the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation.
The 2025 award winners are Nicola Gibson from Annie R. Morgan Elementary School, Moises Ramos from Beauclerc Elementary, Maika Watson from Paxon School for Advanced Studies and Myra Wright from Riverside High School. The four teachers have over 95 years of combined experience serving students in the classroom.
“Gilchrist Berg’s continued commitment to award our local educators for lifelong teaching excellence is inspirational and the UNF Silverfield College of Education and Human Services is honored to present the annual Gladys Prior awards,” said Dr. Stephen Dittmore, UNF SCOEHS dean.
The Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence were established in 1998 by Berg, founder and president of Water Street Capital, to honor teachers with lifelong careers in education. Over the last 28 years, Berg has given nearly $2 million to honor Jacksonville teachers. The award is named after Berg’s fourth-grade teacher at Ortega Elementary School, Gladys Prior. UNF’s SCOEHS manages the gift and arranges the annual surprise award for each teacher at their school surrounded by students, faculty and staff.
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Nicola Gibson |
 Moises Ramos |
 Maika Watson |
Myra Wright |
