Ozzie Mitchell, a former English teacher, received her BA from the University of South Florida and an MA from Rollins College. Her first teaching job was at Jewett High School, Winter Haven, Florida, from which she graduated; she was then transferred to Denison Junior High School, also located in Winter Haven.

After her tenure at Dennison Junior High, Ozzie met and married the love of her life, Alphonso Mitchell. She moved to St. Petersburg, where she was hired at Gibbs High School and remained for 44 years until her retirement on March 31, 2021. Her teaching career spanned over half a century (52 years).

Ozzie considers serving on the Jonathan C. Gibbs Historical Museum committee an honor. What a way of honoring, remembering, and showing respect to one of the most prominent African American officeholders in Florida during the Reconstruction era as well as to our school and our community”.