ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Surrounded by walls plastered floor to ceiling with photos of her students, Orange Park High School English teacher Christine Sanders Howell got some exciting — and well-deserved — news.
She will soon be the owner of a 2024 Hyundai Tucson.
“What?!” she said, covering her face with her hands in shock. “Oh my God!”
She wiped tears away and clapped giddily as her students cheered her on.
Affectionately known as “J Star,” Howell is truly seen as a shining star by both her students and colleagues at Orange Park High, where she has taught for 21 years.
Howell, who was nominated by a fellow teacher, was selected from among 89 nominees for the Hyundai Hometown Heroes contest. News4JAX partners with Hyundai for the periodic contests that recognize deserving members of the community.
This round was focused on educators, and News4JAX is proud to honor these special individuals who devote their lives to others.
Howell said she was deeply honored to learn she had been nominated and was completely stunned when she found out she had won.
“I am absolutely in shock,” she said while holding a photo of the new car that’s in her near future. “It’s going to be such a blessing in my life.”
Howell was beyond grateful to all those who voted for her.
“If I see a need in the community, I’m always trying to help those people or those animals or those kids or those elderly people,” Howell said. “I’m just very thankful that anybody chose to take the time to do this for me.”
Orange Park High Principal Ivin Gunder called Howell “the epitome of a natural teacher.”
“To do this work, one, you have to love kids and you have to do it with your heart, and she does everything with passion, so having her on campus is definitely a blessing for us at Orange Park High School, said Gunder, who is in his fourth year leading the school.
Howell volunteers for “just about every organization there is,” according to Clay County District Schools Superintendent David Broskie. He called Howell a shining example of the kind of people who work in his district.
“It’s huge pride for our community that she’s a winner. She’s got a servant’s heart,” Broskie said. “Her love of students and love of people in her community shines through and is a great example of what’s good about Clay County.” One of Howell’s fellow teachers nominated her (see the full nomination below), describing all that she does for her students, the school, and the wider community, saying, “It’s amazing to see the connection she has with her students.”
Once the initial shock wore off, News4JAX asked Howell what she plans to do with her brand-new car.
True to form, her first thought was of how she could use it to help others, saying she’d be able to drive it when she volunteers for Sea Turtle Patrol, Ronald McDonald House, Rethreaded and many other organizations.
“Oh my gosh, this is amazing,” an overwhelmed Howell said through tears. “Thank you so much.”
Then, as any good teacher would, she made sure her students got “back to work.”
Congratulations to Mrs. Howell for this well-deserved honor!
Read the original submission for Howell’s nomination:
We all call her J Star because she is a shining star. Christine works endlessly on everything from sea turtle patrol, Ronald McDonald House, Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Academy,, Undie Monday, Sophomore class sponsor, Tyler Tabs, Rethreaded, Oranger Park Food Pantry, Orange Park Outfitters, and much more. If there is anything our students or community needs, she is the first person to start a fundraiser or drive to get our students and community the resources they need. Not only does she help students and the community, but every day she has another event where she teaches her students to give back to the community. Honestly, I don’t know how she accomplishes everything she does in one day. Her room is the Orange Park High School classroom where all students are found before, during class change, and after school. It is amazing to see the relationship she has with her students. She builds personal relationships with all students, not just the ones on her class roster. They stay in touch with her years and decades after they graduate. She teaches the kids of her first students. Her walls are covered with photos and cards of her and her students. She has a heart for her students and it shows every day. She has won Teacher of the Year, more than once, and more awards than I can list. She is always surprised and humble whenever she is recognized for any of her accomplishments. We have a strong group of friends who are all teachers. We love, support, and are there for each other. When I returned to school today, there on my desk was a present for me from her. Just to make my first day back to school better she went out of her way to give me a gift. She is selfless and always thinks of others. As a teacher, we are all on a limited budget and she has always had car issues. A new car would be a dream come true for her and for us to see her get it.