- December 26, 2025
For Beachside Elementary teacher Jordan Kalkhurst, there is no other career that could top the everyday interactions he has with students.
"There is truly no other job in the world that gives you the same feeling as walking down the hallway and having dozens of kids with huge grins come running up for high fives and hugs," Kalkhurst said. "Those moments never get old."
That extends to the cafeteria room, which can be a "wild place" on an elementary campus, he said. But some of his fondest memories come from working breakfast duty and greeting the hundreds of students as they start their day.
"It’s such a fun way to begin the morning, and it reminds me why I love what I do," he said.
Kalkhurst is an ESE support facilitator at Beachside. This year, he's also working as a part-time behavior support teacher for elementary students, providing specially designed instruction in reading, math and social skills. This is his fourth year teaching, having graduated from Daytona State College with his bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Student Education in 2021.
In addition to being named Beachside Elementary's Teacher of the Year, Kalkhurst was also chosen as a Top 5 district finalist for the recognition.
"Being nominated for Teacher of the Year is honestly one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me," Kalkhurst said. "It’s a huge honor, and I’m proud to carry on the legacy of the amazing Beachside TOTYs who came before me. The whole experience has felt special from the very beginning, and it’s something I know I’ll remember for the rest of my life."
As he's still early in his teaching career, he said he sometimes has moments where he second-guesses himself and wonders if he's deserving. But the love and support he's received from the people around him, especially his ESE team, is something Kalkhurst said he'll carry with him long after this experience is over.
Growing up, his dad worked for Scholastic, and Kalkhurst spent a lot of his childhood traveling around the U.S., and internationally, helping build reading rooms and hand out books at schools in need of resources. Meanwhile, he also got to meet many teachers and principals, and their passion for their students inspired him.
"Those experiences made a huge impression on me," Kalkhurst said. "For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt excited about the idea of becoming a teacher myself, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do."
Knowing he can make a difference in his students' lives keeps him motivated.
"Showing up for them every day, loving them through the good moments and the tough ones, and helping them become the best versions of themselves is what drives me," he said. "I love my students and seeing them try their hardest makes everything worth it."
Being a father to a 1-year-old son has also added a new layer of motivation, Kalkhurst said. When he's not in the classroom, he's spending time with him, his wife and his parents.
"I want my son to be proud of me and to grow up thinking his dad is the best (and coolest!) teacher ever," he said. "That thought pushes me to keep showing up and giving my all!"
A big sports fan, Kalkhurst loves watching college sports (he's a fan of the University of Florida Gators, where he's studying for his master's degree) and has recently been interested in NASCAR.
His advice to students? Mistakes don't define you, and "This too shall pass."
"I try to remind my students of that when they’re having a tough moment or feeling overwhelmed," Kalkhurst said. "Whatever they’re facing — a mistake, a bad day, a hard situation — it won’t last forever. Between learning from mistakes and remembering that hard moments pass, I hope they walk away knowing they’re stronger and more capable than they think."
