Dr. Joseph Burke, Superintendent of Schools for Monroe County is pleased to announce the appointment of the new principal at Stanley Switlik School. After careful review of all of the data presented by the selection committee, the Superintendent has chosen their number one recommendation, Mr. David Murphy. Mr. Murphy’s appointment will be effective July 1, 2010.

The Office of Student Services is proud to announce that Lindsay Poetz has been named the Inclusion Teacher of the Year (ITOY) for Monroe County Schools.

Ms. Poetz is described as a teacher who sets high standards, uses technology, creates visual aids, schedules hands on activities, and utilizes cooperative learning groups.   Ms. Poetz is energized by the dynamics created within the melting pot of learning styles, ability levels, and interests found in her classroom.  Congratulations Ms. Lindsay Poetz!

Dr. Joseph Burke, Superintendent of Monroe County Schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Janet Meinke as Director of Assessment and Accountability. Ms. Meinke possesses the necessary background skills and experiences to effectively fulfill this critical position. Mrs. Meinke has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Each year schools undergo a selection process to honor a Teacher of the Year. Schools choose a candidate who is "dedicated and highly skilled, a candidate proven capable of inspiring students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn." A district selection committee now reviews and recommends the candidate that will best represent Monroe County in the selection of the Florida Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to all the "Teachers of the Year"!

The Key West Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a luncheon for the Teachers of the Quarter from Key West schools. Those honored were: Front Row – Susan Cooke, Pat Hall, Dr. Joseph Burke, Superintendent, Diane Gibson, Crystal Ruffo, Kay Miller, and Neda Preston; Back Row – Christine Novak, Melanie Bowling, Donna Dallas, Renee Ullom, and Caridad Pazo. (Click on Photo to Enlarge)

Vincent Jackson has been named Monroe County School District's School-Related Person of the Year. This program honors personnel for significant contributions they make to their school, students, and the district.  Vincent will represent the district at the state level for the Employee of the Year honors.

Monroe County School District has announced the selection of Mr. Jesus Jara as Chief Operations Officer. Mr. Jara served for five years in the Miami-Dade School District before assuming administrator roles in the Springfield Massachusetts schools, including the principalship of a senior high school. Mr. Jara was the number one choice of the interview team.

(press release)

Congratulations to Ms. Michele Zofchak, Plantation Key School teacher, who has recently earned National Board Certification. Teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. Teachers hired this year having National Board status are: Regan Duquenne, Gary Hernandez , and Johanna Hughey, all teaching at Key West High. (link to Monroe County School District National Board Certified Teachers)

Gerald Adams School welcomes back one of its own!  Principal Fran Herrin proudly announces that Camilla Ferdinand Burton, a former student at Gerald Adams Elementary, returns to fill the Assistant Principal position.  Mrs. Burton earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pre-Medicine from Florida A & M University and her Master of Science in Educational Leadership, Policy and Administration from Florida State University.  She has been Monroe County School District’s Science Curriculum Coordinator for the last five years. She brings a wealth of experience and a dedicated heart to the Gerald Adams family.

Barbara Wright, Switlik School Principal,  has announced their  new Assistant Principal, Mrs. Ana Hortensi. Mrs. Hortensi holds a Specialist Degree is Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University, a Master’s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Florida International University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Barry University. She has worked in the Miami-Dade school system as a Reading Coach, ESOL Teacher and Family Literacy and 21st Century Grant Writer and program Coordinator. She also serves as an instructor for ESOL Endorsement classes for the Center for Professional Learning. Her bilingual and biliterate skills will be a strong support in providing service to Switlik’s expanding ESOL population and non-English speaking parents at Stanley Switlik.

Mrs. Hortensi replaces Brett Unke who has moved to Horace O’Bryant Middle School as Assistant Principal. Jeff Arnott, former HOB Assistant Principal is now the full-time Career and Adult Education Supervisor / Coordinator.

Dr. Kathy Lancaster has been named to represent Monroe County School District on Monroe County Department of Children and Families - Circuit 16 Promoting Adoptions Committee. “The goal of the committee is permanency for Monroe County’s children, specifically to increase the adoption of children in Monroe County within twelve of months of their being legally available for adoption,” said Amy Baldree, program administrator for Monroe County Department of Children and Families.

The committee is seeking broad-based community support for the plan and its implementation. For more information contact Lancaster at Kathy.Lancaster@keysschools.com or 305-289-2480 x55371.

The Key West Chamber of Commerce has honored the Teacher of the Quarter, selected by each Key West principal, at a luncheon, taking place October 28th at the Doubletree Grand Key. (larger picture)

** Gerald Adams Elementary - Patricia Ribadeneyra
** Glynn Archer Elementary – Terri Sims
** Horace O’Bryant Middle - Stephanie Manaher
** Poinciana Elementary – Wes Hodges
** Key West High – Alice Calleja and Greg Kremer

Pictured from left to right:  Terri Sims, Patricia Ribadeneyra, Greg Kremer, Alice Calleja, Wes Hodges, Michael Knowles, Doubletree Grand Key, Kay Miller, First State Bank, Dr. Joseph Burke, Superintendent, Monroe County School District, and Crystal Ruffo, Key West Chamber of Commerce.

Glynn Archer Elementary School teacher Holly Roblin recently received Office Max's "A Day Made Better" donation of school supplies. Holly is pictured along with staff from Office Max.

Josh Clearman is pictured with Dave Perkins, Assistant Principal, Key West High, Dr. Debra Walker, School Board , and Michael Zavosky, Florida Department of Educational Protection, after receiving one of the winning awards from Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green Schools Awards program. This program recognizes the efforts of students, teachers, classrooms, schools and school districts in creating healthy, efficient and productive places for learning.(Governor's Press Release)

Teachers from Sigsbee School were chosen by the Florida Problem Solving and Response to Intervention Project to present their success with implementation of the PS/RtI process.  Lori Smyth and Lynly Hill were specifically chosen to share the experiences they have had at the classroom level.  Kristin Cruz discussed school-wide implementation lessons learned.  Rob Taylor presented district information.  Kelly Justice, Southern Regional Coordinator for the Project, facilitated the session. (Press Release)

Florida DOE Social Studies Specialist Patty Ceci is pictured with Monroe County teachers Marianne Esposito, Melissa Quintana, and Eric Nelson at the Social Studies Annual Conference (FCSS) in Palm Beach Gardens on Saturday, September 26th, 2009. These teachers joined their counterparts from districts throughout Florida and were recognized for their efforts during the 2008-2009 school year.

Among the staff and students recognized at a recent School Board meeting was a team honored by HP for receiving the prestigious HP K12 Innovation for Education Grant,   consisting of HP equipment and professional development totaling over $265,000. Mr. Tony Cossio and Mr. Marcos Obermaier, executives from Hewlett Packard,  presented the awards. The winning competitive grant is titled "Alternative Energy Research and Education, Fueling our Next Generation."Click FULL STORY for photos and descriptions of all the staff and students recognized at the September 22nd School Board meeting.

Mike Henriquez, Acting Superintendent of Monroe County Schools has announced that Kathleen Veach will be the assistant principal at Sigsbee Elementary and will also provide support to Glynn Archer and Reynolds Schools on an as needed basis. Mrs. Veach holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, as well as a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has worked in the Miami-Dade school system as an Elementary Alternative Education teacher. Kathleen has served 15 years as a classroom teacher and this will be her first year in administration.