Celebrating School-Related Employee of the Year, Anthony Major

Anthony “Coach” Major has been recognized as the 2024-2025 School-Related Employee of the Year for the St. Johns County School District. This honor reflects his unwavering positive attitude and dedication to his work. Since 2017, Anthony has served as a job coach at Life Work, an impactful four-year program tailored for students aged 18 to 22 with varying exceptionalities. He guides students who have met their graduation requirements but require extra support to develop the skills necessary for successful employment, social interactions, and independent living.

Life Work students gain valuable exposure to various roles within a hospital environment at UF Health Flagler Hospital, such as preparing meals in the cafeteria and distributing linen. This unique collaboration not only enriches their educational experience but also provides mentorship opportunities that have resulted in three students successfully securing employment at the hospital.

After 21 years of service in the U.S. Army, Major felt inspired to give back to his community. That led him to his second career working for the school district where he saw an opportunity to help even more, he jumped at the chance. He spends his evenings working part-time with the Food & Nutrition team at UF Health Flagler Hospital where he began as a volunteer, providing critical support to cafeteria staff during the pandemic.

“I could have retired a few years ago, but the amazing team in the cafeteria, many of whom have devoted decades to their work, continue to inspire me to come back,” Anthony shared.

One patient who interacted with Major during her hospital stay described him as “a delight,” praising him for his infectious smile. This comes as no surprise to his co-workers, who support his dedication to the students' career trajectories.

“During the day, Coach brings his students to the kitchen at UF Health Flagler Hospital, working alongside them. He demonstrates techniques while taking the time to explain concepts and provide constructive feedback to the kids,” said Rachael Shay, General Manager of the Food & Nutrition Department at Sodexo. “If there were an option to recommend Coach as Employee of the Decade, I would do so. His positive energy influences our entire team.”

His hard work caught the attention of a colleague who nominated him for this recognition. “I’m truly honored, and I share this award with my coworkers at Life Work because I wouldn’t be here without them,” Anthony remarked. Upon receiving the news of his award, he was pleasantly surprised, as his primary focus has always been on empowering the students.

His district nomination will be submitted to the Florida Department of Education to compete at the state level, highlighting the significance of dedication and service in education.

“Winning at the state level would mean a lot, but at the end of the day, I do this job because I love it and truly enjoy working closely with these kids,” explained Major.

Congratulations to our very own Anthony Major on this remarkable achievement, and thank you for your persistent commitment to our patients and community.