DeSantis Applauds 2023 Teacher of the Year for Being an ‘Excellent Role Model’

July 15, 2022 Updated 2:35 P.M. ET

CLAY COUNTY (FLV) – Seventh-grade math teacher Melissa Anne Matz was named the 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year. 

Melissa Matz is a teacher at Lakeside Junior High School in Clay County. She was selected from nearly 185,000 public school teachers. 

“Thank you for your commitment to quality education and for being an excellent role model for your students,” DeSantis said.

“Melissa has risen to the top through hard work, passion and putting her students first. I have no doubt she will represent Florida with excellence in the coming year, just as she has done in her classroom,” said Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr.

The Florida Teacher of the Year will serve as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education for one year. The goal is to create public awareness of Florida’s exceptional teachers and the education profession. She will also promote and celebrate the countless contributions of Florida’s educators and help recruit future teachers.

Matz makes it a point to speak with each student as they enter the classroom.

She has served as the Lakeside Junior High School math department head and leadership team member since 2015. Matz is the chairperson for Lakeside’s School Advisory Committee and is a school representative for district curriculum-map writing.

“Melissa Matz’s students see firsthand that the skills they acquire in her classroom can be applied to a broad spectrum of fields, and therefore, they can become well-rounded members of our community,” said Clay County Superintendent of Schools David Broskie.  

Matz will receive a $20,000 award from the Florida Department of Education which is a tuition waiver to pursue a graduate degree from the Florida State University College of Education.