Florida News Straight From the Source
In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Director Allison Flanagan recognized seven outstanding Tampa Bay Area companies for their commitment to hiring Floridians with disabilities. [Read more…] about Florida Department of Education Honors Seven Employers for Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
In celebration of Disability Employment Awareness Month, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Director Allison Flanagan recognized seven outstanding Tampa Bay Area companies for their commitment to hiring Floridians with disabilities. [Read more…] about Florida Department of Education Honors Seven Employers for Hiring Individuals with Disabilities
Commissioner Pam Stewart today announced that Florida ranks 4thin the nation for K-12 student achievement, according to Education Week’s Quality Counts 2018 report. The annual report compares state-by-state data and trends to gauge students’ opportunities for success and considers achievement levels, achievement gains, poverty gap, achieving excellence, high school graduation and Advanced Placement. [Read more…] about Florida Ranks 4th in the Nation for K-12 Student Achievement
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart, Chancellor of K-12 Public Schools Hershel Lyons, Executive Vice Chancellor Jacob Oliva and Safe Schools Director Damien Kelly have been visiting schools throughout Florida and thanking local leaders for their hard work and dedication to ensuring Florida students are safe. [Read more…] about Florida Department of Education Thanks Local Leaders During Back to School Visits
Tomorrow, First Lady Ann Scott and Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart will announce the 2019 Teacher of the Year at the awards gala. [Read more…] about First Lady Ann Scott and Commissioner Stewart to award Statewide Teacher of the Year at the Annual Awards Gala
Governor Rick Scott today announced that the Florida Department of Education has released school grades for the 2017-18 school year. This year’s scores demonstrate continued school improvement. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott: More Florida Schools Earning High Marks
The Florida Department of Education today announced that nine schools are winners of the 2018 Family and Community Involvement Award. The award recognizes exemplary school practices that focus on increasing family involvement, welcoming families into the local school system, providing effective communication, supporting student success, and promoting collaboration with the community. [Read more…] about Commissioner Stewart Honors Nine Schools with Family and Community Involvement Award
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart today surprised Molly Winters Diallo in her classroom with a check for $15,000 and the news that she is one of five Teacher of the Year finalists. The statewide Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Florida Teacher of the Year Gala July 13 in Orlando. Each district’s Teacher of the Year will receive $10,000, and the state winner will receive a total of $20,000.
“Congratulations to Molly Winters Diallo on being selected as one of five 2019 Teacher of the Year finalists,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “Throughout her career, Diallo has focused on continual professional growth and, as a result, her students’ performance has consistently been among the best in her district. Her passion for teaching and helping her students reach their full potential is evident. It is truly an honor to recognize her today and reward her for her hard work and dedication.”
Diallo began teaching at Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School in 2009, the year it was founded. She serves as the Social Sciences Department Chair and teaches Honors U.S. History, Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology and AP Human Geography. Since the inception of the U.S. History end-of-course assessment, her students’ pass rate has averaged 90 percent, with last year’s rate being 98 percent. In each of the other courses, her students’ pass rate has exceeded the global mean pass rate, and her students have made significant individual gains. As a department chair and an instructional leader, Diallo mentors new teachers and collaborates with fellow faculty members to improve students’ learning experiences.
Diallo has been recognized by the Bezos Family Foundation and Stanford University for her innovative approaches and rigorous instruction; served as an AP reader for CollegeBoard; worked with the district’s Division of Social Sciences to develop the district’s U.S. History curriculum; and attained National Board Certification.
This year’s five finalists were chosen from more than 198,700 public school teachers throughout the state. After each school district selects its Teacher of the Year, a selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community reviews each district application on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service.
The Florida Teacher of the Year Program is made possible by generous sponsors: Florida Prepaid, State Farm, Florida Blue, Telemundo, Helios Education Foundation, Wells Fargo, Publix, Florida Power and Light Company, Florida Lottery, Gulf Power and Herff Jones.
For more about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.
The Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart today announced long-time law enforcement officer Damien Kelly as director of the newly created Office of Safe Schools. Following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Governor Rick Scott signed into law the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. One component of the comprehensive law is the creation of the Office of Safe Schools within the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and the appointment of its director.
On March 23, Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to district superintendents and school board members that set deadlines FDOE and each school district must meet. Governor Scott directed FDOE to hire a director for the newly created Office of Safe Schools by May 1, 2018.
Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart announced the five 2018 School-Related Employee of the Year finalists. This award recognizes outstanding education support personnel for the significant contributions they make to students and families in their schools and districts. Each of the finalists will receive a $6,500 cash prize, and the statewide winner will receive $10,000 at the May 16 State Board of Education meeting in Pinellas County.
“It is an honor to recognize these outstanding individuals as 2018 School-Related Employee of the Year finalists,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “School-related employees are essential to a school’s day-to-day operations. These men and women have truly gone above and beyond to ensure Florida students have the best education experience possible, and they deserve to be commended for their hard work. I look forward to announcing the winner next month.”
The five finalists for the 2018 School-Related Employee of the Year are listed below.
Bay County – Sylvester Jones, Rutherford High School
Sylvester Jones has been serving the students of Bay District Schools for 13 years. He is currently Rutherford High School’s In-School Suspension Coordinator and Head Coach of the Boys Track and Field Team, for which Jones is praised for his calm demeanor and professionalism. In addition to his assigned duties, he mentors struggling students and contributes to his community by volunteering with the Special Olympics, Boys & Girls Club and the Shaldera Panthers Track Club, an Amateur Athletic Union team. He has earned the Eva P. Jordan Award for unselfish dedication to the community and was recognized as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s 2015 Person of the Year.
Clay County – Stephanie Melton, W.E. Cherry Elementary School
Stephanie Melton is an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Behavioral Health Assistant at her alma mater, W.E. Cherry Elementary School. During the eight years she has served in the position, she has demonstrated a commitment to honing her skills to meet students’ individual needs; for instance, she learned sign language to communicate better with non-verbal students. Despite working two jobs and pursuing a postsecondary degree in Education, Melton makes time to support students and their families after school and on the weekends. She also assists local non-profit organizations in raising awareness about special needs. For eight years, she has organized the annual HEAL Zoo Walk for Autism; through her efforts, significant funds were raised and W.E. Cherry Elementary School received five iPads for ESE classrooms.
Miami-Dade County – Jermaine Green, Jose de Diego Middle School
Jermaine Green has been employed with Miami-Dade County Public Schools for 17 years and has served the students at Jose de Diego Middle School as a paraprofessional for the last two. A talented artist and photographer, Green utilizes art to help his special needs students develop fine motor skills, improve their concentration and enhance their own artistic abilities. He sponsors 5000 Role Models, a club designed to improve male students’ behavior and academic performance, and he leads beautification and restoration initiatives within local schools and his community.
Pinellas County – Debra Canning, Office of Strategic Partnerships
Debra Canning serves as a 21st Century iClass Liaison and has been with Pinellas County Schools for five years. In this role, she has helped more than 500 students at seven sites develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for literacy, math, science, technology and the arts. Through partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, Canning has arranged for students and their families to access books and educational experiences, such as museums and theaters, at little or no cost. Her supervisor applauded her for creating a culture that emphasizes high academic expectations and embraces each student’s unique attributes.
Sarasota County – Sarah Woods, Gulf Gate Elementary School
Sarah Woods currently serves as the Food and Nutrition kitchen manager for Gulf Gate Elementary School where she manages all aspects of food production and the food service staff. Although Woods’ daily responsibilities are significant, she has a reputation for seeking out students who need positive attention and taking the time to create and maintain relationships with them. She was heralded for her efforts during Hurricane Irma, when Gulf Gate Elementary School became a shelter for more than 2,000 community members. Woods and her team sprang into action and worked tirelessly to ensure all shelter guests received three meals each day.
More information about the School-Related Employee of the Year Program is available here.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.
