Posted by
Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
on
5/15/2024 11:18:00 AM
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Office of Communications
813-272-4060
link to video of the surprise announcement
Tampa, Fla. – (May 15, 2024) – Today, the Florida Department of Education announced Dr. Clayton Nylund, a science teacher at Blake High School in Hillsborough County, as one of the five 2025 Teacher of the Year state finalists.
Representatives from the Florida Department of Education joined Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres, Hillsborough County School Board Members, and district staff to surprise Dr. Nylund with the announcement in class.
“I am thrilled that Dr. Nylund has been selected as a finalist for Florida’s Teacher of the Year. Dr. Nylund has made physics and engineering sought-after courses that students are lining up to join. He doesn’t just teach; he absorbs knowledge and culture and breathes that back into the school,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “He has made Blake High School proud, Hillsborough County Public Schools proud, and I know, given the opportunity, he will make our state proud.”
Dr. Nylund has been with Hillsborough County Public Schools since 2011, teaching Physics and Engineering. In 2019, he introduced a PTech (Principles of Technology) course, allowing students to research, design, build, test, and compete with their projects, just like real engineers in the marketplace. Students have the opportunity to build pinewood derby cars, catapults, rockets, bridges, and mousetrap cars. They also learn about circuits, coding, programming, and robotics. Dr. Nylund was asked by district leaders to rewrite the PTech curriculum for the district, now expanding the course to six other high schools across the county, with close to 1,000 students experiencing this engaging course.
“It’s a once in a career opportunity. I have always dreamed of having this opportunity but the fact that it is actually happening is beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Dr. Clayton Nylund.
The five state finalists were chosen from 74 district Teachers of the Year. The 2025 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year winner will be announced at a gala in Orlando on July 25, 2024.
For more information about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.
