ORANGE PARK — Clay County District Schools announced its new Teacher and School Related Employee of the Year during last Thursday's coveted Apple Awards ceremony.

Grove Park Elementary's Dorothy Bailey took home the title of Teacher of the Year and drove off in a brand-new 2026 Chevy Trax presented by Garber Automall, while Ridgeview High's Jenner Pereda accepted School-Related Employee of the Year.

"It was a shock, it was an honor, it was surreal," Bailey said.

It was night of celebration for the school district's educators who continue to grace the classrooms with a mission to help students learn and grow. The Thrasher-Horne Center was filled with a crowd of county teachers, staff, students and families who came to cheer on the finalists with glittery signs, pom-poms, whistles and cardboard cutouts.

In addition to various Spotlight Awards given out throughout the ceremony, Fleming Island High's Teacher of the Year, Brian Seech, was presented with the Carol Vallencourt Award.

In total, there were 10 finalists who made it to the end of the competition. Bailey was up against Coppergate Elementary's Luuly Thai, Charles E. Bennett Elementary's Lori Fedorowich, Lake Asbury Junior High's Melissa Smith and Thunderbolt Elementary's Jessica Willis.

Pereda was up against Clay Hill Elementary's Rhonda Samples, Grove Park Elementary's Kristina Jackson, Lakeside Elementary's Sharmila Maragh Perry and Spring Park Elementary's Mollie Kyler.

Bailey, a sixth-grade math teacher, is known for her ability to make math accessible, engaging and joyful. Under her leadership, sixth-grade math proficiency at Grove Park climbed to 87%, a large increase driven by her belief that every student can succeed. Bailey also serves as a team leader, PLC facilitator and district leadership contributor through the One Clay Leadership Academy. 

Pereda is the behavioral health assistant at Ridgeview, where he creates a structured, emotionally safe environment for students with behavioral needs. Pereda is known as the cornerstone of the school's Transition program, and the student-run More Mocha Café. And under his guidance, his students helped raise $939.50 for the American Cancer Society during Pink Week.

Additionally, Middleburg Elementary third-grade teacher Kyleigh Edenfield won Rookie Teacher of the Year for her first year in the classroom, up against Clay High's Elijah Mitchell and Grove Park's Khariyah Wilkins.

To read more about Bailey, Pereda and Edenfield's big wins, be sure to check out the Feb. 5 edition of School News where Clay Today takes an exclusive look at how they cultivate success within, and beyond, the classroom.