PRINCIPAL FINALISTS
Sonja Braziel, Principal
Pompano Beach Middle
Sonja Braziel’s strong ability to lead, a genuine interest in children, a respect for learning and a vision for the future sets a positive tone at Pompano Beach Middle. Under the leadership of Braziel, Pompano Beach Middle has been transformed from a school with low test scores and staff moral into an “A” rated school and with a highly sought after magnet program filled with teachers who exhibit a positive attitude about their workplace.
Student achievement at Pompano Beach Middle has consistently increased over the past three years. Braziel implemented Content Specific Learning Communities and included all students. Students have achieved tremendous progress in learning gains in reading, math and science. Program activities include goal setting, charting weekly assessments and evaluating data with their teachers.
Braziel implemented student incentive programs, reaching out to the community and the school’s business partners. In the last two years, she has tripled the size of Pompano Beach Middle’s PTSA membership. Known by the Pompano Beach community as a courageous leader, and someone who brings passion and purpose to the school, Braziel listens and creates a climate of ingenuity to overcome issues.
Dr. Ricardo Garcia, Principal
Nova Middle School
Dr. Ricardo Garcia has made a positive impact on both the academic and social culture of Nova Middle School. Garcia has a reputation for holding his entire facutly, staff, student body and himself to very high expectations. Every morning, the students at Nova Middle are reminded that "We are Nova, we are intelligent, sophisticated...and hold very high expectations of ourselves."
Nova Middle is a professional development school where innovations are tested and, if successful, implemented as needed throughout the school district. Garcia has initiated several practices. He has centralized buildings into subject areas with teaching stations in planning areas, which provide a better use of resources. Through his leadership, Nova built a state-of-the-art television studio that is linked to a distance learning room. And He also implemented the new Flex 4X4 at Nova Middle and since then five additional schools have implemented the schedule.
Garcia’s personal characteristics, including patience, consideration and good judgment, are great assets to the school, zone and community. He is a teaching principal, who supports staff and maintains an open door policy to everyone.
Chuck McCanna, Principal
Nova Blanche Foreman Elementary
Chuck McCanna’s leadership drives the vision of preparing Nova Blanche Foreman Elementary students for the 21st Century. Through his innovative use of technology, McCanna has lead his staff to a new way of teaching and helped create a new way to communicate with parents. His vision permeates his school and supports both the Technology and District’s Strategic Plan.
McCanna has become a national leader in his ability to integrate technology. Technology has been imbedded into curriculum delivery and instruction, parent-teacher conferences, field trip preparation and review, video newsletters and delivering teacher staff development. McCanna’s instructional and leadership prowess is evidenced by his selection as a finalist for Florida’s Most Innovative Principal for 2009.
McCanna’s concern for the well-being of the students at Nova Blanche Foreman Elementary is truly genuine. He has demonstrated passion for student achievement and for uniquely effective ideas.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FINALISTS
Cindy Dean, Assistant Principal
Virginia Shuman Young Elementary
Cindy Dean is at Virginia Shuman Young Elementary every day and everywhere, interacting with staff, students and parents. Dean’s attitude is always positive, her demeanor is kind yet always professional, and her optimism is contagious.
Dean is an outstanding Assistant Principal who understands curriculum issues, demonstrates her leadership ability as she facilitates different committees within the school, and works with staff to further individual skills and growth. Dean possesses great strength in the specific recommendations she is able to offer and foster within VSY’s community of learners. By being data driven in her decisions related to curriculum, Dean is able to work with both teachers and students to bring about positive change.
Cindy Dean exhibits professionalism, sensitivity and commitment every day. She is a high energy, optimistic administrator who positively impacts the lives of a diverse group of children.
John Vetter, Assistant Principal
Pompano Beach Middle John Vetter is a man who genuinely likes children and enjoys seeing them grow and mature. Vetter is profoundly dedicated and responsible to his assignments as Second in Command, Eighth Grade Assistant Principal and Magnet Administrative Contact at Pompano Beach Middle.
Under his leadership, Vetter trained the school’s staff on data decision and lesson plan making, active versus passive instructional strategies and working with students who have multiple obstacles to overcome to achieve success in school. He is a teacher’s administrator and is often in the classroom, observing teachers for delivery of their content. He deeply understands the reading process and encourages his teachers to pursue teaching excellence.
John Vetter is a compassionate administrator who has the genuine interest of Pompano Beach Middle at heart.
Latosha Williams, Assistant Principal
Broward Estates Elementary
Latosha Williams’ sensitivity, diligence, energy and sense of humor make her a joy to work with at Broward Estates Elementary. She is an effective communicator who manages the daily operation of the school, working closely with the principal and leadership team.
Williams has the ability to think wisely and critically, which allows for sound decision-making that leads to quality results. She developed, implemented and monitored a plan to increase reading mastery in the lower quartile student population of 3rd-5th graders. Through a comprehensive framework of instruction and support, Williams exceeded her goal by increasing reading skills of the lower quartile students by 7 percentage points.
Williams creativity, resourcefulness and talent to see a project through makes her an asset to Broward Estates Elementary and the school district.
