Tina Hemby, an eighth-grade pre-algebra teacher at Mill Creek Academy, was named the 2023-2024 St. Johns County District Teacher of the Year at a special recognition banquet in St. Augustine on Thursday, February 1. Aimee Monie, a chemistry teacher at Tocoi Creek High School, was named as the 2023-2024 St. Johns County Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Hemby has 29 years of experience as an educator in mathematics, elementary education, and general science in St. Johns County District Schools, and previously in South Carolina. She has been honored with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, among many recognitions and memberships in educational associations.
Hemby is a Clinical Evaluator Trained Teacher (CET) and Mentor; teacher member of St. Johns County School District’s Unity Cohort; Math Department Chairperson, and is trained in Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a grade level representative. Hemby was inspired by her father who was a math teacher. She cultivates a positive learning environment to build a solid teacher-student relationship. In Spring 2023, more than 80 percent of her students scored a mastery level on the 8th-grade Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) mathematics test while meeting or exceeding mastery of the State of Florida’s student pre-algebra benchmarks. Hemby’s leadership role in St. John’s County School District has included her responsibility as a grade-level math program chairperson and peer mentor to other educators. She resides in Palm Coast, Fla.
At the awards presentation, Hemby expressed her deepest gratitude to her home family and her school family who have supported, encouraged, and inspired her career and dedication to young students for generations. One of Hemby’s students spoke on stage about the teacher’s deep understanding and ability as a caring educator to make math fun for each student.
Aimee Monie is a chemistry teacher at Tocoi Creek High School and has worked just over one year as an educator in the local public school system. In addition to her dedication to young people and day-to-day teaching responsibilities, she mentors numerous students inside and outside of the classroom and serves as a volunteer with multiple organizations on campus. Monie stated that she is honored and privileged to teach students and witness their growth and positive changes experienced in school and in life. She incorporates inquiry-based learning techniques in her classroom to engage students and help them develop critical thinking skills. While a Rookie teacher herself, Monie mentors, answers any questions, and holds unofficial trainings with several of the newer teachers in her department. She resides in St. Johns, Fla.
Monie was deeply moved by the recognition as the Rookie Teacher of the Year and acknowledged her honor to continue with her role as an educator in St. Johns County public schools.
As Teacher of the Year, Hemby will represent St. Johns County at the State of Florida Teacher of the Year event in July 2024. She will participate in a yearlong professional development and leadership program with a cohort of Teachers of the Year from around the state. Hemby was also awarded an opportunity to lease or own a new car provided by Beaver Toyota St. Augustine and a $350 gift certificate from Staples. As Rookie Teacher of the Year, Monie will receive $1,000 from Equitable Advisors and a $150 gift certificate from Staples. Hemby and Monie each received a complimentary “Support Education” specialty license plate from the St. Johns County Tax Collector. Both educators will also be inducted into INK!’s Teacher Lead Council to engage and collaborate with previous St. Johns County Teachers and Rookie Teachers of the Year.
Tim Forson, St. Johns County Superintendent of Schools, congratulated all honored educators for their professionalism and profound dedication to students. More than 900 guests attended the awards program themed “Galaxy of the Stars, Our Teachers Shine Bright” including educators from throughout the St. Johns County School District, families, friends, students, local school district officials, and dignitaries. Additionally, 100 teachers were individually honored for being named Teacher of the Year or Rookie Teacher of the Year at their schools throughout St. Johns County.
According to Cathy Newman, INK!’s Executive Director, the annual Teacher of the Year program seeks to honor excellence in teaching within the St. Johns County School District and highlight the important role teachers play in the lives of students and the community. “We are honored to acknowledge and recognize our hard-working teachers for their professional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to our students,” said Newman. “It is our goal to elevate the profession of teaching and demonstrate our support and appreciation for educators.”
Finalists for 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year included Hemby; Kristen Anderson, a first-grade teacher at Valley Ridge Academy; Samantha Gayso an eighth-grade teacher in English Language Arts (ELA) at Alice B. Landrum Middle School; Robyn Rice who teaches Exceptional Student Education (ESE) at John A. Crookshank Elementary School; and Master Chief Duane Spears who teaches tenth and eleventh grade students as an instructor in Naval Science studies and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) at Allen D. Nease High School.
