New Teachers will Join Wakulla County School System

school supplies 125.gif {sidebar id=1}The Wakulla County School System has hired 43 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, Wakulla.com and college professors. There are still a few certified positions yet to be filled. For more information visit www.wakullaschooldistrict.org.

When asked what they are most excited about as August approaches, most new educators respond 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 return to school on Monday, August 13th for a professional development day. Open houses are scheduled for Thursday (WHS, RMS and WMS), August 16th and Friday, August 17th (Elementary schools and Pre-K). Students begin school on Monday, August 20th.

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 in University of Alabama and UCF. Wakulla reminds of her home in Alabama. Has enjoyed meeting her new Crawfordville team this summer.

Medart Elementary School

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) – Her hometown is Monroe, Louisiana. Enjoys working with the faculty at Shadeville wherever she is needed.
Kay Reeves (fourth grade) – An FSU grad who 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 gradudate.
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.
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.
James Thaxton (ESE) – Received his Bachelor and Master’s degree from Georgia State University. His wife also teaches at Riversprings Middle School.

Wakulla Education Center

Toyia Williams – Pre-K teacher and FAMU graduate. Believes the best way she can give back to the community where she was raised is by teaching.
Alison Bussey – Pre-K Teacher at Wakulla Education Center. Attended FSU STAC II Institute this summer and is excited about her new career.
Cara West – Pre-K Teacher at Sopchoppy Education Center. Brings experience as Pre-school teacher from Trinity Methodist Church of Tallahassee.

Wakulla Middle School

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 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 – 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 creatives.
March Cramer - A Lively Vocational Teacher will be providing instruction in Carpentry.
Grady Guess (ESE) – Excited about meeting new students and the start of football practice.
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 Kilbourn (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 at Godby High School. Happy to be returning to WHS.
Maria Toscano –Criminal Justice teacher at WHS. Born in New Jersey. Raised in Ft. Lauderdale. Spent 20 years in Corrections. Has a degree in Criminology.
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.