A Record Number of New Teachers Hired for the 2007-2008 School Year

{sidebar id=1}Growth, class size reduction legislation and retirement are the main reasons Wakulla has hired 47 new teachers to start the 2007-2008 school year. Fortunately, there was a rich pool of candidates available. Every position was filled prior to the first day of school. Last year, across the State of Florida, almost 2,000 classrooms started the school year with a substitute teacher. Wakulla had no teacher vacancies on Day 1 of 2006 and 2007. Principals and supervisors worked all summer to insure their positions were filled with the most qualified candidates.

Once hired every new Wakulla educator was invited and most participated in survival training. Yes! Even school teachers attend Summer Camp. During the week of August 2nd-August 9th, Wakulla County School District hosted three days of survival training in an effort to arm Wakulla’s newest educators with resources for success. CSI: Wakulla! was the theme. (Curriculum, Students, Instruction) Participants discovered rich curriculum, ways to motivate students, and effective instruction throughout the three days. Wakulla County National Board Certified Teachers Jennifer Thaxton, Angie Gentry and Kim Bartnick organized three days packed with exceptional Wakulla presenters. Superintendent David Miller noted, “Providing resources and support necessary for success is foundational. Our National Board teachers do a fantastic job sharing knowledge.”

Topics detected during the three days included: Who’s Who in Wakulla County Schools?, What Does an Effective Teacher Look Like?, The Florida Educator 12 Accomplished Practices, Tips to Save Your Sanity, Ethics, The Principles of Professional Conduct, Open House and the First Day of School, Technology Training, Classroom Management, Discipline Plans, Teaching Strategies, FCAT Prep, Online Resources, Curriculum Overview and more. Training locations varied each day from The Wakulla Bank Community Room to Shadeville Elementary School Computer Lab to Medart Elementary School Media Center. A field expedition including a delightful lunch at The Landing in Panacea was also included. Superintendent Miller adds, “We are grateful to School Board Chairman Jerry Evans and The Wakulla Bank for hosting and providing lunch on Day One of CSI: Wakulla!” Please click here to view a photo gallery of the event by Karen Wells ; and here to view a photo gallery by Wakulla.com .

Wakulla has hired forty-five new teachers since May 2007. Of those new teachers, 71% are originally from Florida. Forty-five percent are graduates either of FSU or Flagler College. Fifty-five percent are new elementary school teachers. Eighteen percent of our new hires were home-grown in Wakulla County and thirteen percent are from out-of-State. Most heard about the position openings by visiting www.wakullaschooldistrict.org and some heard about job postings from friends, relatives, career fairs, www.wakulla.com and college professors.

When asked what they are most excited about as the opening day of school approaches, most new educators responded with, “Meeting the students,” “Starting a new career,” or “Beginning a new journey in my dream job,” “The pleasure of collaborating with the teachers and administrators,” “Being with children who remind you that the world is full of wonderful possibilities. I am eager to join them on their path to educational success,” and “Being a part of a high performing school system.”

All Wakulla teachers returned to school on Monday, August 13th for a professional development day.

A quick glimpse at the new teachers by school site follows:

Crawfordville Elementary School

Susan Asher (Kindergarten) – Moved from Satellite Beach, FL. Chose Wakulla County because of the outstanding reputation of the schools and the natural beauty of the county.
Kirsten Brazier (first grade) – Graduated from FSU and the TCC EPI program. Looks forward to serving the people of the county she loves.
Heather Hatfield (fourth grade) – Married with 2 children originally from Sopchoppy. Is thrilled to be teaching in the county where she grew up.
Laura Hume (fifth grade) – Originally from the hills of New Hampshire. Chose to apply and teach in Wakulla County because of the school system’s high academic expectations for all students.
Angela Persons (fifth grade) – A Flagler graduate who loves the outdoors. Has been impressed with the quality of education in Wakulla.
Rhonda Shields (second grade) – A product of Wakulla County Schools and a Flagler graduate. She is honored to now be a member of a professional, caring team of educators.
Erin Smith (Kindergarten) – Has a master’s degree in reading. Looks forward to working with the faculty and staff at Crawfordville.
Emily Strong Wood (Kindergarten) – A National Board Certified Teacher. Has bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama and UCF. Wakulla reminds of her home in Alabama. Has enjoyed meeting her new Crawfordville team this summer.

Medart Elementary School

Lauren Garrett (third grade) – A proud product of the Wakulla County School system. Graduated from Flagler College and enjoys singing and dancing.
Angie Nichols (first grade) – Married to a Wakulla County Deputy and mother to four young children. Looks forward to being a part of a team that has a sense of community and one that is so successful academically.
Marina Pecorino (Kindergarten) – Recent graduate of Flagler College. Appreciates the family atmosphere of Medart.
Debbie Roddenberry (second grade) – Received Master’s degree from FSU. Married and mother to 4 children. Looks forward to getting off to a great start and being a part of the Medart team.

Shadeville Elementary School

Cami Bernales (second grade) – A recent Flagler College graduate. Excited about teaching in the county where she was born and raised.
Jennifer Breth (2nd grade) – Originally from Virginia. Enjoys teaching in a small, close-knit community where she feels at home and welcome.
Kasey Brown (2nd grade) – Believes, “Wakulla County has the best schools! And this is a wonderful place to raise a family.” She is a Flagler College graduate.
Erin Cox (speech therapist) – Received Bachelor and Master’s degree from Valdosta State University. Word of mouth encouraged her to apply in Wakulla. Looks forward to being a part of a support group of people.
Susan Decker (reading coach) – Received Master’s degree from University of North Florida. Loves the interaction with students in the public school system.
Mary Jacobs (fifth grade) – Originally from Michigan. Believes working at Shadeville is her “dream job.”
Judy Paris (kindergarten; time-limited) – Her hometown is Monroe, Louisiana. Enjoys working with the faculty at Shadeville wherever she is needed.
Kay Reeves (fourth grade) – An FSU grad and former Woodville Teacher of the Year heard about all the wonderful things going on in Wakulla Schools. Thrilled to be a part of the Wakulla team.
Jennifer Siniscalchi (first grade) – Interned at Shadeville last year and is a Flagler graduate.
Kelsey Wood (second grade) – Originally from Wisconsin. Chose Wakulla County because of the great reputation of the school system.

Riversprings Middle School

Logan Crouch (7th grade math and science) – An FSU graduate with degree in Meteorology. Wants to work for a school system that strives to be the best in Florida and provides a great atmosphere for educators and students alike.
Louis Hernandez (6th grade science) – Believes he received a wonderful education in Wakulla County and is now ready to give back to the community as a teacher and coach.
Charlotte McCormick (8th grade reading & language arts) – An FSU and Flagler College graduate. Spent many years coordinating Boy Scouts. Enjoys camping, fishing and going to the beach.
Ashley Cate Sims (7th and 8th grade language arts) – Attended Saint Leo University and received bachelor’s degree in English. Moved from Tampa and loves to write.
Michelle Briya Stallings (8th grade science) – Originally from Ohio and graduated form Northeastern University. Fiancé will work at the FSU Marine Lab. Knows Wakulla County is the perfect place to live and raise a family.
Trey Thaxton (ESE) – Received his Bachelor and Master’s degree from Georgia State University. His wife also teaches at Riversprings Middle School.

Wakulla Education Center & Sopchoppy Education Center

Alison Bussey - Pre-K Teacher at Wakulla Education Center. Attended FSU STAC II Institute this summer and is excited about her new career.
Don Franks – GED Teacher at Sopchoppy. Originally from Orange, Texas. Graduated from FSU. Enjoys reading and playing music.
Denise Gorman – Pre-K Teacher at Wakulla Education Center. Graduated from the University of West Florida. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania. Recently engaged to be married.
Cara West – Pre-K Teacher at Sopchoppy Education Center. Brings experience as Pre-school teacher from Trinity Methodist Church of Tallahassee.
Toyia Williams – Pre-K teacher at Wakulla Education Center and FAMU graduate. Believes the best way she can give back to the community where she was raised is by teaching.

Wakulla Middle School

Jerry Edmonston (8th grade language arts & reading) – An FSU graduate and TCC EPI program completer. Brings a corporate America perspective to the classroom.
Michael Sweatt (PE Teacher & Coach) – A FAMU graduate and former Wakulla athlete. Excited about coaching Wakulla Middle School Wildcats.
Bill Peck (ESE) – Originally from Perry, FL. Loves living in Wakulla and is excited about meeting his students. An FSU and TCC EPI graduate.
Karen Sanders (Science) – Has returned home to Sopchoppy after living several years in Escambia County. Received her master’s degree from Troy State University.
Becky Thomas (Media Specialist) – Transferred from 8th grade reading at WMS. Is excited about her new position.

Wakulla High School

Marc Bowerman (Video Production) – A Lively Vocational Teacher will be providing instruction in TV Productions. Originally from California he is looking forward to the opportunity share filmmaking passion with new, young creative students.
Marc Cramer (Carpentry) - A Lively Vocational Teacher will be providing instruction in Carpentry.
Grady Guess (ESE) – Excited about meeting new students and the start of football practice.
Jillian Guthrie (Math) – A Flagler graduate and product of the Wakulla County Schools System. Enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as water sports.
Melinda House (English) – An FSU graduate originally from Ocala, FL. Has found Wakulla County to be full of nice, friendly and helpful people. Loves riding motorcycles, racing and fishing.
Kristi Keith (ESE Science) – Recently finished graduate work at FSU STAC II Institute. Is looking forward to returning to WHS as a full-time teacher.
George Kilbourne (Reading) – An FSU graduate who will teach English and coach football.
Melanie Henderson-Lowe (Spanish) – A graduate of University of Miami with more than 15 years experience. Fluent in French and Spanish. Loves the Spanish culture and is inspired by the local attitude of the people and the natural beauty of Wakulla County.
Haley High (Math) – Recently taught in Leon County at Godby High School. Happy to be returning to WHS.
Windy Jones (PE Teacher & Coach) – A WHS graduate. Earned an athletic scholarship to college and brings successful coaching experience to Wakulla from Leon High School.
Maria Toscano (Criminal Justice) – Criminal Justice teacher at WHS. Born in New Jersey. Raised in Ft. Lauderdale. Spent 20 years in Corrections. Has a degree in Criminology.