Betsy Lyons, a first‑grade teacher at PVPV Rawlings Elementary School, was named the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl’s “Most Valuable Teacher” for the current season. Ms. Lyons was honored as the week’s MVT for her:
- Passion and dedication to teaching first graders
- Strong student relationships and positive impact both in and out of the classroom
- Visible commitment to her students’ success, even when not at school
The Most Valuable Teacher (MVT) Program is a partnership between the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, FIS, and the College Football Playoff Foundation to honor outstanding educators in Northeast Florida. Each week during the college football season, a local public or charter school teacher (K–12) from eligible counties is randomly selected to receive:
- A $1,000 grant via DonorsChoose to fund classroom projects
- On‑field recognition at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
- A surprise visit from the Gator Bowl team to announce the award in their classroom
Eligible teachers are from Alachua, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, and must not have been recognized in the past four years.
