Heather Miller, an educator at Lake Asbury Elementary School, was recognized Thursday night as the Clay County “Teacher of the Year” during the Clay Education Foundation’s Apple Awards.
The awards event at the Thrasher-Horne Center, according to the foundation’s website, celebrates excellence in teaching, teachers and school-related employees from Clay County’s 40+ public schools.
”I cannot believe it. I couldn’t be more proud of our school and just the opportunity and just to be recognized, it’s just, everything,” Miller said.
The educator said she’s been teaching for 25 years, 21 of those years have been teaching fourth graders — a grade, Miller said, that’s near and dear to her heart.
“Every day is just a joy to get to work with the students of Lake Asbury and Clay County,” she said.
In addition, Miller received a new Chevy Malibu that was made possible by Garber Automall in Green Cove Springs.
A second award was also presented to the school-related employee of the year. Honored in that category was Abegail Rosario-Castillo with Orange Park Elementary School.
Rosario-Castillo says she has a passion for helping kids find the right book to get them hooked on reading.
News4JAX anchor Scott Johnson emceed the event.