The Awards of Excellence
December , 2007
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to view the 2006 Awards
Priscill
Harrop
ABE Teacher of the Year Priscilla Harrop
Forest Hill Community High School
Priscilla Harrop is an exemplary adult education instructor and demonstrates a
commitment to creating a climate of caring and respect conducive to
effective teaching and learning. details...
This is truly evident by the educational gains her
students make and the persistence with which her students come to class. Her
class is totally interactive and energized by the collaborative learning
environment she creates.
Having been a part of the curriculum writing team that developed the ABE
Performance-Based Project Curriculum, Mrs. Harrop embraces this curriculum with
enthusiasm. She has the innate ability to nurture her students with new ways of
learning by showing them how academics work in the real world. For years Mrs.
Harrop has demonstrated the ability to foster excellence in adult education
while contributing to the continuous improvement of student learning and the
school environment. She displays expertise not only in the content area of the
curriculum but in her ability to teach to the students’ different learning
styles.
Mrs. Harrop is a dedicated part-time adult education teacher who puts forth 100
percent effort not only when teaching but preparing for a class or volunteering
to assist with special projects. The students describe her as the “real one”, as
she consistently challenges her students to reach for excellence. She always
participates in professional development and is competent in all aspects of
teaching and reporting of educational gains. Her allegiance to adult education
is evident by her commitment and dedication to the ABE program and the students
she serves.
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Betsy Albury
Administrator of the Year
Spanish River Community High School
Dr. Betsy Albury has spent over 25 years working in adult and community
education at Spanish River Community High School. During that time she
provided educational opportunities for preschoolers through adults and
has hosted many district wide adult education training events.
details...
She is an exceptional “people coach” who always
provides time and training for her staff to achieve their personal best. Many of
them started out as part-time teachers and now work full-time for the school
district.
Dr. Albury has consistently provided classes in adult education including ESOL,
Accent Reduction and citizenship classes for non-native speakers as well as a
wide variety of community education classes including art, exercise, language,
computers and personal improvement classes for over 3,000 students each year.
She offers credit lab classes to high school students to improve the school
graduation rate. Furthermore, K-12 initiative classes have been offered to
enhance SAT/ACT/FCAT student results.
She supports the local recreation departments to insure local access to
recreational opportunities and hosts Drug, Alcohol, Tobacco Education (DATE),
FACE IT, Companion Dogs, Narannon and Traffic education classes. Spanish River
also provides art programs for the local community via the Boca Raton Singers
and Intergeneration Orchestra.
Dr. Albury supervised the Little Sharks preschool for children of staff members,
students and the community. This program provides job training opportunities for
high school students and has become a district funded Family and Consumer
Sciences program.
Dr. Albury is unquestionably deserving of this award.
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City
of Boca Raton Parks & Recreation
Business Partner of the Year
Department of Parks and Recreation
For over 25 years, the City of Boca Raton and the School District of
Palm Beach County have participated in an inter-local agreement for
mutual use of school and city facilities, providing many cooperative
programs serving both children and adults. Those activities include
summer recreational camps held at school centers, school sport team
events at local parks and recreation facilities and city sponsored
sports teams held at local school centers.
details...
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and Science Explorium have hosted educational field
trips free of charge for over 10,000 Boca Raton school children. Over 3,000
children have participated in fine arts programs at Willow Theater and Mizner
Park Amphitheater.
The City of Boca Raton provides financial support and services to community
schools. They fund part-time positions to assist the community schools with the
operation of their recreation programs as well as services free of charge
including street sweeping, a bucket truck Egg Drop competitions, resurfacing of
basketball and tennis courts and some physical education equipment.
Boca Raton funds an education coordinator, provides a Teacher of the Year award,
broadcasts a wide variety of school events, sponsors Smart Choices, DARE and
Junior ROTC along with various school picnics at local parks.
These many coordinated efforts between the local schools and the city
have been a prime example of cooperation between a business entity and
community schools which demonstrates that education is for people of all
ages.
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Holly
Harrison
Community Education Teacher of the Year
Forest Hill Community High School
Holly Harrison has worked at the Child Enrichment Academy at Forest Hill
Community High School for over five years. Her job is to bring educational
enrichment to children while their parents learn English or earn a GED. She
brings the enthusiasm of ten teachers. Her background is in science but more
than that Ms. Harrison is the “idea lady.”
details...
Ms. Harrison uses her ideas and sense of humor to expose the children to diverse
lessons. She created a science lab with circuit boards, bells, lights, and
batteries for every child. Also, she used band and chorus concerts as
entertainment and exposed the children to JV football, volleyball and basketball
games.
A duck themed unit that Mrs. Harrison created was particularly effective at
developing each child’s knowledge. She took rubber ducks that were dressed in
different costumes and gave one to each child, asking them to write a story
about their duck and present it. Then, she read a story to the children and
tested their knowledge by asking them questions about what she read. Next, she
did two nights of duck science, teaching why ducks can float and dive. Finally,
she brought her pet duck, “Graham Quacker”, and the students got to touch and
see a live duck.
Mrs. Harrison’s students are experiencing useful life skills and making life
long memories from their time at Forest Hill Community High School.
She is truly an exemplary Community School Teacher of the Year.
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Jimi Morgan Pedigo
ESOL Teacher of the Year
Forest Hill Community High School
Jimi Morgan Pedigo has worked in the field of Education for
over 30 years. She has taught ESOL and Citizenship for the past ten years, at
the Adult Education Center and more recently at Vicker’s House, a community
resource center sponsored by Forest Hill Community High School. She is positive,
self-motivated and has often been described as an overachiever.
details...
Her success is based on results. Mrs. Pedigo goes beyond the call of duty to
instill in her students the love of learning. She provides students with
opportunities to excel in the way she organizes classroom activities to address
multiple learning styles using a vast array of materials which provide an
optimal learning environment. She recognizes and rewards her students for their
many accomplishments. Most of her Citizenship students have passed their test
and received their U.S. citizenship.
Her expertise in the field of Adult ESOL and Citizenship Education has allowed
her to create a valuable and innovative Citizenship curriculum guide with lesson
plans for teachers and activities for students. She trains the school district’s
citizenship teachers to effectively use this outstanding resource.
Mrs. Pedigo spearheaded the school beautification committee and also created
many bulletin boards in the hallways that served both to beautify the school and
teach students from around the world about customs and holidays. She is truly
dedicated to the educational achievement of her students.
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Judy
Langelier
Robert A. Smith Award for
Excellence in Community Education,
Department of Adult and Community Education
Judy Langelier has worked as a resource teacher for Adult and
Community Education for the past 18 years. She demonstrates her dedication and
spirit of service to the community each time she is involved in developing a new
program. She sees a project from inception to conclusion with a hands-on, roll
up your sleeves, get to work attitude. details...
Not only does she implement programs, she sees
them through, hiring the best qualified personnel for the project. Ms. Langelier
continues to maintain a high standard of commitment to the growth of the program
through unfailing dedication to the needs of the students.
She established the ESOL New and Perspective Teacher Training Program in 1990
which continues to this day and spearheaded the district’s Adult ESOL Task Force
to implement the CASAS testing program to meet the needs of performance-based
funding.
Ms Langelier has served on the State of Florida’s ESOL Task Force, the Refugee
Task Force, the District Staff Development Committee and the K-12 Support
Committee. She managed Project RELII, a grant that brought training and job
opportunities to refugees. She worked diligently to make the PeopleSoft program
work for the community schools.
It is evident through Ms Langelier’s numerous accomplishments that she is
deserving of this award.
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Dianne DioGuardi
GED Teacher of the Year
Adult Education Center of the Year
Dianne DioGuardi never really wanted to be anything but a
school teacher and celebrates now her 40th year of teaching. Little did she know
that through this humble dream, she would make a difference in the lives of so
many students.
details...
Mrs. DioGuardi is recognized for her commitment to create a climate of caring
and respect conducive to effective teaching and learning during her 26 years in
Adult Education. Her original position at the Adult Education Center landed her
in jail for the first 14 years which was spent teaching inmates at the Palm
Beach County Stockade.
For 12 years she taught in a small metal building with no heat or air
conditioning and was sometimes locked in cells with the inmates. Then, they
built a school with two classrooms and an office. What a promotion! She helped
over 300 inmates pass the GED which directly impacted their lives. She felt
wonderful knowing that her work could make a difference and learned that not all
people in jail are bad, they just made bad choices.”
After serving her time in jail, she moved into a bona fide classroom at the
Adult Education Center and for the last 13 years taught GED students from many
cultural backgrounds.
Mrs. DioGuardi is the quintessential example of all that a GED teacher can and
should be.
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Jean
Wasko
High School Credit Teacher of the Year
Boca Raton Community High School
Boca Raton Community High School has been fortunate to have Jean Wasko working
with an unwavering willingness to help students and co-workers for 22 years,
with 11 of them in the Credit Lab. Her ability to provide individualized
attention and clear explanations, coupled with her ability to solve problems and
find answers are just a few of her key characteristics.
details...
“If I had a teacher like Jean Wasko, I would have understood Shakespeare and
maybe even liked him,” gushes her assistant Sally after spending time watching
this miracle-worker work her magic. Jean’s “can do” attitude is an inspiration
to everyone who is lucky enough to cross this “high energy” miracle-worker’s
path.
Ms. Wasko never hesitates to smile or offer her time and assistance. Her
kindness and positive attitude draws people towards her and she remains ever
cheerful despite a phenomenal workload from both day and night school.
Ms. Wasko is a wonderful role model to everyone she encounters. Students,
parents, and co-workers turn to her for guidance and advice. She goes above and
beyond whatever role she plays and never ceases to set the bar for
professionalism even higher than before. Her personal touch, welcoming smile,
and incredible leadership skills set her apart and make her beyond eligible for
this award.
Jean Wasko truly makes a difference in the lives of her students..
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Lynne
McGee
Principal of the Year
Seminole Ridge Community High School
Lynne McGee provided outstanding leadership for the adult and community
education program at beginning at Jupiter Community High School. Taking
her experiences from there as principal and applying them to Seminole
Ridge Community High School, she has brought many great rewards. details...
Her commitment to serve the entire community has resulted in the establishment
of adult and community education programs that meet the needs of local
businesses, improve student test scores, provide assistance in K-12 tutorial
programs, increase the number and variety of our community education course
offerings, and encourage community use of school facilities.
She has encouraged and supported the initiation and expansion of our FCAT
tutorial, SAT prep, credit lab, ABE, and GED programs, and this year she has
added a GED exit options program at Seminole Ridge. Her leadership and
continuous encouragement has promoted mentored tutorial programs at Loxahatchee
Groves, Acreage Pines, Golden Groves Elementary, Lake Shore Annex and Western
Pines Middle.
Dr. Lynne K. McGee strongly believes in the educational and service philosophy
behind adult and community education, and in providing educational services to
our entire community. Her cooperation with, support of, and respect for our
adult and community education program provides an environment in which students,
staff, and adults consistently experience success at their community school.
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Lynne Cheetham
Support Staff of the Year
Lantana Community Middle School
Lynne Cheetham is the consummate community school
secretary and office manager committed to staying one step ahead of the ever
changing community school world. She has worked for the school district for over
20 years and is dedicated to supporting not only the ideals and goals of the
program, but the faculty, staff and students on a daily basis.
details...
With the implementation of the PeopleSoft program, there were many obstacles to
make this program meet the needs of the hundreds of part time staff employed in
the community schools. Mrs. Cheetham has taken a leadership role in learning the
details of the program as it relates to the community school process. She is
currently responsible for inputting all of the part time adult and community
education “new hires” as well as instructing other community school secretaries
on setting up their payroll screens and processing payroll accurately.
Mrs. Cheetham has unselfishly put in numerous hours of her own time to assist
district staff with the PeopleSoft process and to provide guidance and help
whenever needed. In addition, she continues to work closely with PeopleSoft
representatives to resolve system issues that have arisen specific to adult and
community education. She is always willing and ready to help in any way and
patiently works with many departments to solve problems and make PeopleSoft work
for all of adult and community education.
For this and much more, Lynne Cheetham is deserving of this award for Support
Staff of the Year.
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Juliana
Davis
Virtual Education Teacher of the Year
Palm Beach Virtual Community School
Juliana Davis has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of
the virtual education program for adult and community education. First,
as a part time teacher and then, as a full time instructor, Mrs. Davis
has used her classroom and school-based administrative expertise to
establish and expand the virtual school program.
details...
Mrs. Davis has established a working relationship with the high school guidance
counselors and the assistant principals for community education in order to
effectively promote the virtual education programs. She provides considerable
time and talent to assist virtual education teachers to effectively make the
transition to working in a virtual environment.
Mrs. Davis’ participants include high school students taking online credit lab
courses as well as adults seeking their GED. She has worked with the
Professional Development Department to establish online inservice opportunities
for District personnel.
Mrs. Davis is the district representative to the Florida Adult and Technical
Distance Education Consortium and works tirelessly to promote online education
for adult and community education throughout the state. In addition, she serves
as the director of the summer lunch program and volunteers for the Food Ministry
at Northwood Baptist Church.
Mrs. Davis is the outstanding Virtual Education Teacher of the Year.
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Mark
Wall
Volunteer of the Year
Inlet Grove Community High School
Mark Wall has contributed countless hours as a volunteer in the ABE/GED
program for more then 15 years at Inlet Grove Community High School and
North Technical Education Center. For Mr. Wall, service is a way of
life. details...
His competence has inspired confidence in
many students. He has not only instructed students needing individual help
from basic math to algebra and geometry, but has been a dynamic force in
helping his students believe that they could learn what many of them felt
was impossible.
Mr. Wall is an integral and dynamic component of the ABE/GED program. He is
responsible for familiarizing students with the uses of the calculator used
in the GED exam. He is a stalwart supporter of students bound for the GED
and their personal cheerleader. In many cases he made the difference between
success and failure. And for that the staff of the ABE/GED program is most
grateful.
A former volunteer fireman and a 33 year veteran of FPL, Mr. Wall uses his
talents as a machinist to build, fix and create items and materials to
improve the classroom learning environment. He has repaired hinges and
locks, rebuilt a testing cart, changed batteries and volunteers in the
robotics program at three high schools.
Mr. Wall is an exemplary volunteer bringing together in the classroom his
strong, ethical, giving and patient nature to serve as an excellent role
model to his students. He continues to make a difference in his community
with no end in sight!
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