Florida agriculture teacher Jennie Goffe earns top state honors

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Jennie Coffe, a high school agriculture educator in Florida, has been named one of five finalists for her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Florida Teacher Lead Network

It is always exciting when an outstanding educator earns honors for their work with young people. Jennie Goffe, a high school teacher in Florida, is one of these educators. She has been named one of five finalists for her state’s 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Jennie teaches agriculture at Clewiston High School in Hendry County. She has worked at the school for the past ten years. Through her agriculture program, her students manage a farm of 480 acres, take care of over 60 animals, maintain a greenhouse, grow sugar cane, harvest crops, and care for pastures. Through this program, Jennie supports the school’s Career and Technical Education. This program provides students with skills that prepare them for the work force. In fact, her students earn an average of 150 workforce certificates annually. “My favorite thing about being a teacher is just the relationships I get to build with students and the experiences I get to offer them,” declares Jennie.

After Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers, Florida, in 2022, Jennie inaugurated a cooperative effort for Clewiston High School students to work with community members to assist those in need. The effort included cleaning up the hardest-hit areas.

Jennie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and Communications from the University of Florida.

The Florida Teacher of the Year Program celebrates teachers who are dedicated to the profession. Each year, Florida’s school districts have the opportunity to recognize and celebrate 74 teachers as District Teachers of the Year. These exemplary educators are selected for many reasons, including extraordinary student gains, community involvement, teacher leadership, and instructional practices. Five District Teachers of the Year are named Teacher of the Year Finalists and, from those, one statewide winner is selected as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education.