Candidate: James Hughes

James “Jim” Hughes has experienced the Clay County Schools from number of crucial perspectives, including as a 36-year educator, as a dedicated parent and, today, as a grandparent.

Jim came to Clay County in 1975, when his father, a Navy captain, was transferred to NAS Jax. Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of North Florida in March 1979, and began his career the following month at Lakeside Elementary. There, he taught grades 1, 3, 4, and 6. He also earned his master’s degree in education from UNF in1993 and was a district finalist for teacher of the year in 1998-1999.

In 2000, Jim transferred to Lake Asbury Elementary to create a classroom technology lab and curriculum for all students (K-6). From there, Jim was asked to create the initial technology lab at Shadowlawn, before its opening in 2008. The next year, he transferred to Coppergate, where he launched the school’s first resource technology program. Jim finished his teaching career at Coppergate in 2016.

Following his retirement from teaching, Jim became Director of Music Ministries at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Orange Park, where he had worked part-time since 1975. Even as Jim retired from that position in 2023, he continues composing and recording songs and hymns, which can be found in several published hymnals.

Jim and his wife of 46 years, Shelly, a licensed mental health counselor with Grace House, raised three daughters, each a graduate of Clay County Schools. All three have continued in their parents’ footsteps, two as teachers and one as a licensed counselor. Jim and Shelly have been blessed with six grandchildren, three of whom currently attend Clay County Schools.

Email contact: jimhughes4ccsd@gmail.com

Other highlights

·        Served on District Technology Coordinators Committee – 1998-2016

·        Served on School Accreditation Teams for Duval Schools  

·        Served as Grade Level Team Leader (various years)

·        Speaker/Presenter – National Pastoral Musicians – 1988, 1992, 1993, 2016 - 2022

·        Director of Youth Summer Camp – Camp Risk – Diocese of St. Augustine – 1993-2008 – Junior High residential camp.

·        Community and church volunteerism, including numerous programs and ministries – among them the Clay Youth Connection, which identified homeless high school students and worked to arrange housing.