UNF surprises four local teachers with Gilchrist Berg’s $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 Jacksonville teachers with the 2026 Gladys Prior Awards for Career Teaching Excellence and $17,000 each, one of the largest monetary awards for teachers in the nation.

The 2026 award winners are:

• Suzanne Copley, an ELA and gifted teacher at Sandalwood High School
• Kim Kirton, a 4th grade reading, writing and social studies teacher at Kernan Trail Elementary School and UNF alum
• Jennifer Farrell, a 7th grade civics teacher at LaVilla School of the Arts and UNF alum
• Cristina Ledford, amusic instructor and marching band director at Samuel Wolfson School for Advance Studies High School

The four teachers have over 100 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 27 years, Berg has given more than $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.