CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The Green Cove Springs community is mourning the loss of a Clay County teacher who died from COVID-19.
Tim Clyatt was a veteran of nearly 20 years with the Clay County School District.
Action News Jax’s Courtney Cole spoke to one of his students who said Clyatt was loved by many of his students at Bannerman Learning Center.
“It’s tragic. It’s most of the kids' favorite teacher at the school,” said Brooklyn Powers, a ninth-grader at Bannerman.
She was also one of Clyatt’s students.
Powers told Cole he was a very nice teacher.
“I just found out this morning. I was sorry,” Powers said.
In a statement released by the school district, it described the Bannerman teacher as a “dedicated teacher who made a difference in the lives of many during his teaching career.”
“He understood kids very well,” Powers said.
When Cole asked Powers what she would say to Clyatt if she could, here’s what Powers said:
“To say goodbye one last time, to be honest. And tell him that he was a good person,” Powers said.
It has not been determined if Clyatt contracted the virus at school.
The Clay County School District stated that based on the Florida Department of Health data, Bannerman Learning Center has not experienced a high transmission rate of COVID-19.
The state report shows two cases this school year: one student and one teacher.
“Based on the Department of Health’s case interviews and contact tracing of these positive individuals, it was ruled out by the Department of Health that none of them were listed as exposures (secondary transmissions) to each other,” said Nicole Young, the spokesperson for the Clay County School District.
The Clay County School District is extending its sincerest condolences to Clyatt’s family, friends, and co-workers.