Around the District

District Honored By Red Cross
The Broward Chapter of the American Red Cross recently presented its Partnership Award to the District. The award was in recognition of the importance of the District’s partnership with the Red Cross -- a partnership that has enabled the agency to significantly increase its emergency preparedness, response and emergency shelter operation programs for the residents of Broward County.

During the 2005 hurricane season, over 4,000 residents were housed in District schools that were constructed with hurricane shelters. The shelters were operated jointly between the Red Cross and the District.  Through another facet of the partnership, all of the District’s elementary and middle schools received copies of the Red Cross “Master of Disasters” program.  The program provides valuable preparedness materials related to natural disasters, designed for grades K-8. Copies of videotapes that correspond with the program have been provided to BECON for broadcast to District schools.

Third Annual Summer Institute for Teachers Held at Piper High School
The Departments of Advanced Academic Programs

Teachers presented a skit during the SpringBoard Language Arts workshop at the Summer Institute.

and Core Curriculum of the Division of Curriculum & Instruction/Student Support held the third annual Summer Institute for teachers at Piper High School June 5-16. More than 900 teachers attended the training related to instruction in such rigorous programs as Advanced Placement, SpringBoard, Gifted, Great Explorations in Mathematics, Mathematically Talented Students, History and Social Studies Alive!, Gilder Lehrman and other advanced courses. The theme of this year’s institute was “It’s All About You!,” and participating teachers were given t-shirts that sported an “It’s All About Me!” logo. Local business partners generously supplied prizes.

BECON Distance-Learning Teacher Receives Award of Excellence
BECON distance-learning teacher Evelyn Nelson

Evelyn Nelson

has received the Association for Media and Technology in Education in Canada (AMTEC) Award for Excellence.  The award was presented for her work, Hispanics: Their Legacy. The project recognizes the accomplishments and contributions Hispanic Americans have made to society. The video portion was entered into the Visual Media Category and is an essential component of a larger package of resources sent to Broward County elementary schools. A 30-year teacher, Ms. Nelson has worked for BECON for the past six years, teaching over 1,500 students through videoconferencing.

Family Counseling Center Opens at Sawgrass Springs Middle
A Family Counseling Center is now open at Sawgrass Springs Middle School. The center, staffed by two counselors, provides services to any family residing in the Coral Glades Innovation Zone. Short-term individual, family and group counseling sessions are available. For information, contact the Guidance Director, Ron Pearlman, at 754-322-4512.

Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year

Pamela L. Stephens and H.D. Perry Principal Steve Frazier

Wal-Mart Store #1511 recently honored H.D. Perry Middle School social studies teacher Pamela Stephens as its Teacher of the Year. Members of the Miramar community nominated her for the award for her outstanding service to young people. The school received a $1,000 check on her behalf and Mrs. Stephens received a $100 gift certificate, a plaque and a “Teacher of the Year” shirt. She will now move on to Wal-Mart’s state level Teacher of the Year recognition program.

Whiddon Rogers Education Center Teacher Is State’s Juvenile Justice Teacher of the Year
Mary Ann Hartwell, an alternative education teacher at Whiddon Rogers
Education Center, was named the 2005 Florida Juvenile Justice Teacher of the Year. She was one of five regional winners competing for the state honor and was awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a commemorative plaque.

The Juvenile Justice Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the Florida Department of Education and the Juvenile Justice Educational Enhancement Program, recognizes teachers in Department of Juvenile Justice facilities who demonstrate a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and ability levels. Ms. Hartwell, who has served on the faculty at Whiddon Rogers for more than 20 years, instructs committed and detained youth who are in the Department of Juvenile Justice custody at the Thompson Academy in Pembroke Pines.

Coral Springs Middle History Teacher Earns State Award

Nicole M. Marsala

The Gilder Lehman Institute recently named Coral Springs Middle School history teacher Nicole Marsala the state’s 2006 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year for American History. The eighth grade teacher will compete with winners from other states for the national award.