Congratulations, Asa Jernigan,
Fernandina Beach Middle School Band Director and Nassau County Teacher of the Year!

On Friday, January 12, 2018, William (“Asa”) Jernigan, FBMS Band Director and one of five finalists for the Nassau County Teacher of the Year, was attending the Florida Music Education State Conference in Tampa. From there, he drove all the way back to Amelia Island to attend the Nassau Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Gala that evening at the Ritz Carlton. Following the Gala event, Mr. Jernigan had plans to drive back to Tampa – all in an effort to support one of his students performing in the Florida All State Band. This dedication to both his students and his profession are what propelled him to the top to capture the title of this year’s Nassau County Teacher of the Year.

Originally trained in Music Education at Troy State University in Alabama, Jernigan now shares his passion and expertise with music colleagues across the district and state through efforts such as supervising new band directors, articulating with the Fernandina Beach High School band program and serving on the Florida Bandmasters Association Small Schools and Mentoring Committees.

For 34 years, Mr. Jernigan has been teaching at both the middle and high school levels, most of those years in Nassau County. During these years (17 at Fernandina Beach Middle), his bands have earned the accolades with a total of 26 consecutive years of Superior Rated bands as well as numerous students being selected for All District and All State Bands. Many of his former students have even gone on to become professional musicians who perform around the world, including trumpet player Chris Davis who recently performed at the Grammy Awards and one of the lead vocalists who performed with the Amelia Crescendo Band at the Gala.

Jernigan is quick to share his primary goal, however – to see the success of all of his students and to instill in them the same love of music that he possesses!