Summer 2014 | The Core 1

Summer 2014 • Volume 2 No.6

MeeT ChrisTie basseTT- The 2015 florida TeaCher of The year

Produced by the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships, Polk County Public Schools

2014 annual eMployeehealTh fair

An electronic magazine for the employees of Polk County Public Schools

2014 polk CounTy publiC sChools fine arTs fesTival

Summer 2014 | The Core 1

The Core is published by the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships. All submissions should be sent to: core@polk-fl.net with the approval of the appropriate department or division head, or school administrator. Submissions may be edited for appropriateness, brevity and clarity. Photos may be submitted in .jpg format. If you do not have email, send submissions in writing to: The Core, c/o Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships, Route E.

School iS out! That means it’s time to relax and soak in the time with your family and friends.

We hope you enjoy a summer filled with simple and timeless joys. It’s also a great time to reflect upon the accomplishments of the past as we lay the foundation for future goals.

This spring, many changes took place and much happened across the District. A new test was selected to replace the FCAT 2.0 exams. The new question types will assess students’ higher order thinking skills in keeping with

the higher expectations of the Florida Standards. Working together, we can create a learning environment that truly helps each student reach their highest potential.

In keeping with finding new and innovative ways to educate the whole child, the District recently partnered with Usher’s New Look and the Rock and Roll Academy to “usher in” an innovative arts education program that will provide students with cutting edge music education and exposure to career pathways in the music and marketing industry. This spring, we also celebrated fine arts in the community as another year of the Fine Arts Festival made it possible for people from all walks of life to enjoy artwork first-hand. Learn more about the people behind these great fine arts programs when The Core sits down with members of the Fine Arts Department.

Read about how Rochelle School of the Arts’ mentoring program is helping young men make better decisions and teaching them how to plan for their future. In this edition, we also take time to celebrate the educators who each day, go beyond the call of duty to serve our students. We will introduce you to Christie Bassett, Polk County’s 2014 Teacher of the Year and now Florida’s 2015 Teacher of the Year, as recognized by the Florida Department of Education. You will also “meet” Carlos Miguez, Polk County’s 2014 School-Related Employee of the Year. In addition to these “shining stars,” we celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of other stand out teachers as we applaud Ridge Community High for being named a top Florida high school by U.S. News and World Report.

We celebrate Polk County Public Schools’ Wellness Program being recognized by the American Heart Association as a 2013 Platinum Fit Friendly Worksite for developing and maintaining proven strategies to combat risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. We also recap some of the great things that happened during the Annual Employee Health Fairs and why they continue to be a hit among our employees!

Discover how technology is helping to facilitate learning in the classroom, as you read about ‘Bring Your Own Devices!” But if you’re just in the mood for a good laugh turn to Humor Highlights!

A Message from the Editor

Spring Symposium10

contentsSummer 2014

leah lauderdale, aPr, cPrc Senior director of dePartment of

Public relationS & Strategic PartnerShiPS

District News 02 2014 Fine Arts Festival

04 2014 Employee Health Fair

06 Replacement for FCAT 2.0

Schoolhouse News07 School District Partners with

Music Mogul Usher to bring Innovative Music Program to Polk County Public Schools

08 Employees Encouraged to Spread the Good News About “Bring Your Own Devices” to the Classroom

09 Mentoring Program Developed to Help Young Men Flourish

10 Spring Symposium: Springing Professional Development Forward

�Employee Spotlight

12 Meet Christie Bassett

13 Meet Carlos Miguez

Caught In Action14 Fine Arts Department

�Awards & Recognition

16 Recognitions from around the District

Humor Highlights18 Veins, Ugly Purses and More...

The School Board of Polk County, Florida, prohibits any and all forms of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, genetic information, homelessness, or disability or other basis prohibited by law in any of its programs, services, activities or employment. To file concerns, you may contact the Office of Equity & Compliance in the Human Resource Services Division at (863) 534-0513.

For More News About Polk County Public

Schools Visit:www.polk-fl.net

Polk County Public Schools

our mission: To Provide a High-Quality Education for

All Students.

Polk County School Board Television

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8Employees

Encouraged toSpread the

Good News about “Bring Your Own

Devices” to the Classroom

Summer 2014 | The Core 3 2 The Core | Summer 2014

above: lake Gibson Middle school Jazz band above: Winning art from lake region high

above: Winning art from lake Gibson Middle above: Tenoroc band

above: directors Jazz band above: Winning art from lakeland high

District News2014 Polk County Public Schools’ Fine Arts Festival

People in and around the District took advantage of the arts and culture available in Polk County when they attended the annual Fine Arts Festival held at Lakeland’s Munn Park. The event which took place on Saturday,

April 26, included displays and exhibits of visual arts pieces created by students and performances by student jazz bands, string ensembles, choirs and steel drum bands. The annual celebration allows people to enjoy artwork by having a real-life, first-hand experience, often lost when art or music is only received via electronic communication channels such as a computer screen. Seeing a painting or sculpture up close, or seeing a musical performance, can elicit emotions while providing a deeper appreciation for the arts. The annual celebration also breaks down boundaries by bringing together individuals from all walks of life.

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above: vendors prepare for a busy day

above: participants enjoy robotic Therapy

above: Wellness Team photo--still smiling after clean-up saturday 4/26!

above: Most decorated vendor at lakeland health fair: lakeland regional Medical Center/Clark & daughtrey Group (patty strickland & Theresa barbee)

beloW: school board members hazel sellers and dick Mullenax showcase the directors of health promotion Gold award.

District News District News

2014 Annual Employee Health Fairs On Saturday, March 1 and on Saturday, April

26 Polk County Public Schools’ Wellness Department hosted two employee health

fairs as part of the 13th Annual Health Fairs. Dozens of health-related vendors showcased services, foods and products at the events held this year at Lake Eva Center in Haines City and Highland Park Church of the Nazarene in Lakeland.

This year, the “Beach, Bike or Bounty” helped some lucky employees boost their health, beat stress and benefit from the health fairs. Two lucky winners won a pair of tickets to spend three days and two nights at the TradeWinds Beach Resort in St. Petersburg. The two winners were: Cheryl Scanlan (teacher at Karen M. Siegel Academy) and Jane Wree (teacher at Pinewood elementary). Two lucky winners each won a Florida Blue Beach Cruiser Bicycle. The winners were: Luiz Diaz (teacher at Horizons Elementary) and Shu Chuan Montgomery, (teacher at Medulla Elementary). The bounty came in the form of $150 gift cards and other prizes. Robbie Marsh-Eskenazi (teacher at Horizons Elementary) and Gladys Etheridge (custodian at Mulberry Middle) won Better Bladder $150 Wal-Mart Gift Cards. Thelma Odei (Transportation Department) and Manuel Rodriguez (Human Resources Department) each won a Kindle Fire from WellDyne RX. Miriam Claudio (para at Palmetto Elementary) won the $400 Road & Trail bicycle for completing an evaluation. In addition, Winter Haven Theatre tickets were won by Eugenio Gallardo-Estevez (custodian at Mulberry Middle) for the Scavenger hunt. Countless gift baskets, gift cards, and gas cards were also awarded to lucky participants.

Thousands of other employees, spouses and retirees who attended this year’s events also benefited from the activity-filled days when visiting vendor booths, getting wellness screenings, health assessments and personal coaching. Screenings included cholesterol profiles, balance testing, vision, hearing and skin cancer screenings, lung function testing and more. Participants also had an opportunity to witness food tasting and demonstrations from vendors such as Publix and Garden to Go. There was even some pampering thrown in with participants being given the opportunity to get facials, massage therapy and robotic therapy.

Wellness Manager Debbie Zimmerman says, “There are hundreds of reasons for employees to come out and enjoy these events. For starters, the Health Fairs are a wonderful way to meet face-to-face with members of the medical community and additional vendors who regularly provide such great services in Polk County. The fairs are also a great resource to get the support to remain healthy by

speaking personally to doctors and health professionals who specialize in prevention, cancer, gynecology, chiropractic, and other medical specialties. On top of that, you enjoy free screenings, massages, and demonstration. After all healthy employees strengthen our workforce and they help everybody achieve more!”

above: program launch at Mclaughlin Middle and fine arts academy

Summer 2014 | The Core 7 6 The Core | Summer 2014

Unique Product Design and Attributes:

About Usher’s New Look:

District News

The Florida Department of Education

A new test has been selected to replace the FCAT 2.0 exams for the 2014-2015 academic school year. An evaluation team reviewed five proposals

and narrowed the choice to three groups. Subsequently, a negotiation team unanimously recommended the not-for-profit American Institutes for Research (AIR) to Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart.

Of the choice, Pam Stewart says, “The new assessment will measure each child’s progress and achievement on the Florida Standards, which were developed with an unprecedented amount of public input. This assessment supports our new standards, which emphasize flexibility for teachers to make their own decisions in classrooms while preparing our students to analyze and think.”

The scheduled FCAT tests for this year were not affected. Changes will begin in the 2014-2015 school year.

The new assessment will include more than just multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions. Students will be asked to create graphs, interact with test content and write and respond in different ways than on traditional tests. New question types will assess students’ higher order thinking skills in keeping with the higher expectations of the Florida Standards.

The guidelines for promotion and graduation will remain largely the same. Students entering 3rd grade in 2014-2015 will be required to achieve a certain score on the 3rd grade assessment in order to meet promotion requirements. Students not meeting these criteria may still meet promotion requirements through the same exemptions that are currently available. Students entering 10th grade and/or taking Algebra I in 2014-2015 will still be required to achieve a certain score on the respective assessment in order to meet graduation requirements. These students will continue to have the opportunity for retakes all students have had before. Students who need to retake an assessment based on an FCAT 2.0 score will be able to retake the FCAT 2.0.

The following students will still need to take the FCAT 2.0 in 2014-2015. High school students trying to achieve the necessary score to graduate on their 10th grade Reading Test will take the FCAT 2.0 to maintain consistency. The FCAT 2.0 science exam will be used in grades 5 and 8.

How does this affect school grades and teacher evaluations?

After the first administration of the Florida Standards Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in spring of 2015, the required standard-setting process will be conducted in the summer of 2015 in order to set performance level expectations, also referred to as “cut scores.” This will provide a new baseline for school grading and other accountability measures which will more accurately reflect student performance on the new standards and assessments. This baseline informational approach in the first year provides parents, schools, districts and all Floridians with a clear understanding of a student’s and a school’s starting point on the new, more rigorous standards and assessments.

During the 2014-15 school year, each school district will continue to set its own performance standards for teachers using data from the new assessment, to ensure continuity with the 2013-2014 evaluations within each district.

What is the cost of this test in comparison to comparable tests?

In comparison to PARCC (Partnerships for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) or SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) the test costs less than the publicly reported costs projected for either PARCC or SBAC. The new contract is for $220 million over six years.

Chooses Replacement for FCAT 2.0Courtesy of The Florida Department of Education

Schoolhouse News

Polk County Public Schools is partnering with Usher’s New Look, the non-profit organization committed to developing global youth leaders founded by Usher Raymond IV, to provide students at McLaughlin Middle and Fine Arts Academy with two cutting edge music education programs. Along with the Rock and Roll Academy founded by Mark

Galbo of Colorado, New Look will introduce Music Industry Leadership 101, a blended learning course giving high school students exposure to over 30 career pathways in the music and marketing industry. The launch for both of these programs took place on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2. The full courses will begin in the fall.

Music Industry Leadership 101 is under review as a full credit-earning course for high school students in several states developed in partnership with Beanstalk Innovation. The pilot program, which launched earlier this month, will reach more than 2,000 students around the country. The program offered through the Rock and Roll Academy places students in charge of their own education by allowing participants to explore Social Emotional Learning as they form authentic student bands. Both programs empower youth to be autonomous and responsible members of their local and global communities.

Superintendent of Schools Kathryn M. LeRoy echoes these sentiments saying, “At Polk County Public Schools, we consider this opportunity to partner with these extraordinary organizations to be an incredible gift. This will give our students a chance to tap into their musical talents and to learn to become good stewards of our local and global communities. We look forward to seeing the great things that lie ahead as our partnerships with Usher’s New Look and the Rock and Roll Academy continues to blossom.”

F Celebrity Influence – curriculum positions celebrities as “endorsers” of curriculum and student influencers in order to capture the attention and imagination of students

F Academic Rigor – curriculum aligns with national academic standards and state standards

F Industry Relevance – curriculum directly engages industry expertise and incorporates industry-certified leadership, hard and soft 21st century skills

F Technology – curriculum capitalizes on students’ comfort and fluency with technology and bridges the gap between their use of technology both during and outside the school day

Established in 1999, Usher’s New Look, has trained and certified over 16,000 youth across its four leadership pillars – talent, education, career and service. Through the development of innovative programs and a culture of consistent evaluation, reflection and refinement, New Look has achieved the gold standard in leadership development and success for youth.

School District Partners with

Music Mogul Usher to Bring

Innovative Music Education Program

to Polk County Public Schools

Current Costs New Costs

Per Test $14.58 $11.47

Per Student $36.17 $34.23

Comparison of Total Costs for Statewide Assessments in All Subject Areas (English, Language Arts/Literacy,

Mathematics, Science, Social Studies)

Summer 2014 | The Core 9 8 The Core | Summer 2014

The District’s Information Systems and Technology Department is encouraging high school students enrolled in Polk County Public Schools to utilize their own electronic devices to help enhance their educational experience. This initiative known as “Bring Your Own Devices” (BYOD) reinforces the benefits of merging technology and education in the classroom. That means that as an administrator or teacher you must not only teach students how to take advantage of this new program, you will also be called on to lead by example.

Why now? The Department of Education Digital Content Plan developed in 2012, states “By 2015–2016, school districts will be required to spend 50 percent of their annual instructional materials budget to purchase digital content.” “Bring Your Own Devices” was developed in preparation for these changes. The Information Systems and Technology staff have upgraded the secured wireless network at all high schools. They will also provide support and professional development for the implementation of BYOD.

How It Works? Recommended devices include: Android, iPhone, Smart Phone, iPad, and Windows Pro devices.

In order to participate students must: y Obtain a signed Parent/Student Mobile Device Use Agreement which stipulates a student

will comply with the Polk County Acceptable Use Policy, the use of a mobile device will be in use for educational purposes while at school, the student will maintain equipment protected from malicious software and viruses, and the student will heed general maintenance alerts.

y All students will need to know their POLK-FL network username and password. Students wishing to obtain their POLK-FL credentials must ask their instructor for this information.

Best Practices for Implementing BYOD? As an instructor you might be wondering, what do I need to know to be equipped to lead by example?

y First, check out the following online modules available in PDS: STST002: Copyright & Ethics; STST007: Internet Safety for Educators; STST012: Introduction to BYOD

y Learn and understand about the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, created to protect the privacy of children under 13.

y Prepare before class! Research and use the APPS you plan to use in the classroom beforehand, making sure to gather parent permission for apps that require student login. But try using district supported apps & tools when possible such as Moodle, myPolkApps (GoogleApps) and CCC! Video Streaming

y Align lessons to the Florida Standards and real world connections. Also develop strategy for gaining and keeping students engaged. Try flipped classrooms (The flipped classroom inverts traditional teaching methods, delivering instruction online outside of the class and moving “homework” into the classroom), virtual scavenger hunts or project based learning.

y Have a back-up plan! Ask yourself the following questions: What will I do if the device battery is not charged?, What if some students do not have a device or forget their device at home?, What if the network is down? Think through possible solutions before these situations arise in the classroom.

TECH TIPSBYOD: Employees Encouraged to Spread the Good News About “Bring Your Own Devices” to the Classroom

What Are Some Quick Facts about

Benefits of Technology in the Classroom?

F Students who use technology take an active role when receiving information.

F Students can acquire an impressive level of technical skills through the use of a broad range of computer software.

F Students who use technology learn to work cooperatively and provide peer tutoring.

F Students who use technology demonstrate an increase in motivation.

F.A.Q’s?A list of Frequently Asked

Questions is available- please click here.

Rochelle School of the Arts:

“As most young men, I made my share of mistakes and bad decisions,” says Albert Cummings, a teacher at Rochelle School of the Arts and the current head of the school’s

mentoring program aimed at guiding at-risk male youths through the difficulties faced during adolescence. He continues, “My main goal for this group is to help these young men make better decisions than I made growing up. My second goal for this group is to teach these young men how to plan for their future and how to develop sound and appropriate backup plans.”

The start of the group can be traced back to last school year, when Mr. Cummings asked Rochelle School of the Arts Principal Tracy Nelson and Assistant Principal Carol Griffin for permission to officially start a mentoring group. It’s grown from 4 members to more than a dozen members. Mr. Cummings says, he’s proud of the young men who “seem to be really receptive to the information that I share with them. The young men ask great questions during the sessions and have begun to improve their behavior at school.” Topics covered during the weekly sessions included: What does it

mean to be a man?; Goal Setting, Making a Good First Impression and Manners; Dressing for Success; “Birds of a Feather” –Choosing Your Friends; “Be a Leader, Not a Follower”/Consequences and Repercussions of Your Actions; Public Speaking; “Better to Give Than Receive”-The Value of Giving Back to Your Community; What Are Your Priorities?; Where Do We Go From Here? –Developing a Plan to Improve Our Future.

Mixed in with all the lessons learned is the groups’ motto, pulled from a poem by an unknown author. Like the poem it emphasizes “goal-oriented” thinking with an added line that reads, “Therefore we shall have no excuses!”

Excuses are tools of the incompetentwhich create monuments

of nothingness.Those who specialize in themare seldom good in anything.

-Author Unknown.

Mentoring Program Developed to Help Young Men Flourish

Schoolhouse News Schoolhouse News

Summer 2014 | The Core 11 10 The Core | Summer 2014

Polk County Public Schools’ Professional Development Department recently hosted the Spring Symposium, a two night event held as part of a retention effort to motivate

teachers and provide them with a quality professional learning experience. In short, the goal of the event was to elevate and celebrate effective teachers and teaching. Nearly 300 educators, who teach various grade levels, attended the event held at the Jim Miles Professional Development Center.

Two evenings were earmarked for the event: Monday, May 12- Secondary Teachers (this included middle and high school teachers); Thursday, May 15- Elementary Teachers. Teachers listened to presentations about various educational topics, networked with other teachers and learned from fellow colleagues.

Linda Holt, an educator at George Jenkins High, and Jose Rosario, an educator from Auburndale High, were the featured speakers on the night that secondary teachers attended. They shared inspiring stories about what it means to be a teacher and

the importance of reaching students. The book featured was “Preventing Death by Lecture” by Sharon Bowman. In her book, the author skillfully brings home the message, “Teach it quick and make it stick!”

The secondary evening’s break-out sessions, facilitated by classroom teachers, were on the following topics:

� Are you ready for B.Y.O.D (Bring Your Own Devices)? –Tomeka Thompson, Tenoroc High

� Organizing and Managing Time-Sonya Barnes, Stambaugh Middle

� The Science Behind Effective Teaching-Alicia Hughes, Dundee Middle

� Reflection and Reinvention: A Look at Differentiated Instruction- Tiffany Kitchens, Lakeland High

Elementary teachers were invited to attend the second night of the Spring Symposium. The night’s event included featured speakers, Nicole Pasqualitti (Laurel Elementary) and Kerri Foster

“The root of our event centered around the professional learning of our teachers as well as teacher leaders teaching other teachers.” — Angela Price, Senior

Coordinator of Teacher Training

above: “are you ready for b.y.o.d. (bring your own devices)?” presentation

above: Meet and Greet

above: “The science behind effective Teaching” presentation

“The homemade vortex Generator is a lot of fun! When the shower curtain thrusts a burst of air out of the hole in the trash can, it displaces the surrounding air out side. The surrounding air swirls around in the shape of a twisting doughnut. The twisting doughnut will carry the original burst of air as far as 50 feet away. how fun it was to try and put the flames out from across the room!!!”

~ Alicia Hughes, Dundee Ridge Middle, explains science demonstration

SPrING SYMPOSIUM: Springing Professional Development Forward

(Griffin Elementary) who shared motivational stories that encouraged and inspired their fellow educators. The book of discussion that night was “A+ Teaching: 180 Ways to Enhance Your Success as a Teacher” by Louise Paris.

The elementary break-out session included discussion on the following topics:

� Going Digital Suited for Traveling- Sheryl Rogers, Padgett Elementary

� Maximizing Student Engagement Through Accountability- Tova Rivera, Alta Vista Elementary

� The Collective, Effective Directive- Michael Wright, Wahneta Elementary

� High Order Thinking and Student Engagement Strategy- Brittany Jennings, Spessard L. Holland Elementary

Senior Coordinator of Teacher Training Angela Price says, “ECET2 (Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching) was a success. I believe teachers felt important and valued. It was also an opportunity for them to gather ideas, strategies, and best practices to take back to the classroom. The root of our event centered around the professional learning of our teachers as well as teacher leaders teaching other teachers.”

She also shared feedback submitted anonymously by a participant, which echoed the impact the event may have had on participants. She says, “An individual who participated wrote this- ‘The symposium was truly inspiring. It was the wind beneath my wings. That means I was sinking as a teacher looking at all the data about student achievement, but this symposium lit a fire inside me.’ I was glad to get feedback like this.”

The Spring Symposium was facilitated by Angela Price, Senior Coordinator, Teacher Training and carried out by the Professional Development Department under the direction of Cheryl Joe, Director of Professional Development.

Schoolhouse NewsSchoolhouse News

Summer 2014 | The Core 13 12 The Core | Summer 2014

Employee SpotlightMeet Christie Bassett Meet Carlos Miguez

2014 Polk County Teacher of the Year 2014 Polk County School-Related Employee of the Year

Carlos Miguez, an English for Speakers of Other Languages

(ESOL) paraprofessional at George Jenkins High, is the embodiment of the American dream. The genesis of the American Dream can be found in the United States Declaration of Independence, which proclaims “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” including “life, liberty and the

pursuit of happiness.” Following this ethos, Mr. Miguez relocated his family from Argentina to the United States to provide a better life for his son and wife. He shares, “Moving from Argentina was not easy, and we never knew how it would end, but despite all the obstacles that we have to go through it turned out to be good for my family. My son has more opportunities in the U.S. than being in Argentina. He is bilingual and that is a big advantage over others.” The move to the States was especially challenging for Mr. Miguez. He was a math teacher in South America, but had to start over again when he moved to the States. He had to perfect his English and readjust to American culture. He is now working toward his Math certification to teach here. He says, “Everything I’m doing is to help my son to get through high school and college.” His son is 14-years-old.

Mr. Miguez isn’t just a stand-out family man. He is also a talented ESOL paraprofessional who goes beyond the “call of duty” to make sure students are served each and every day. To him, speaking a language other than English is not a barrier to obtaining the best education offered. This enthusiasm extends beyond the classroom. You will often find him acting as a translator as he assists other teachers to better communicate with parents and families. On occasion he’s made phone calls to the homes of students on behalf of fellow teachers and made house calls to address issues. Of Mr. Miguez, George Jenkins Principal

W riter John Steinbeck once said, “I have come to believe

that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.” Highlands Grove Elementary Art Teacher Christie Bassett uses her artistic talent to provide her students with a multifaceted art education infused with activities that teach other aspects of the core

curriculum such as reading comprehension, math, geography and history. But just as important to her is the development of the whole child. As Mrs. Bassett puts it, “Special area teachers should attend their school’s math, writing and reading meetings and use the knowledge gained at these meetings to develop into cross-curricular instructors, focused on education of the entire child. As teachers join forces across subjects and special areas, we have a unique opportunity to engage the total student, create lasting connections, and forge a powerful system of education that will in turn strengthen our communities, state, nation and world.” Her artistic talent and love of children makes her career in teaching an ideal choice. Each day, she strives to recognize an “artist” in each child, capable of designing a better world by reaching their full potential.

Of Mrs. Bassett, Highlands Grove Elementary Principal Cindy Franks said, “She has certainly lived up to her potential! Christie’s rapport with students, parents and coworkers is a model of an accomplished educator. She adapts and embraces changes in our school environment and policies and her optimistic disposition contributes to her ability to coach peers in a positive manner. I often observe her tirelessly working with colleagues, parents, and local organizations to seek opportunities that will benefit our students.”

Beyond the classroom, the Polk County native and teacher of seven years, values her family, who she counts as her greatest accomplishment. She continues, “My children are young, and we as a family are far from accomplished, but being a wife and mom is so rewarding! We are a work in progress, always learning and changing, but I love having a family and growing with them.” Mrs. Bassett is married to Carson Bassett, a

prosecutor with the Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit in Bartow. She is the mother of two beautiful children, Ellie and Crawford. Four-year-old Ellie is a pre-kindergartener at Highlands Grove Elementary and is sweet, adventurous and free spirited. Crawford, just turned two-years-old. She shares, “I can already tell he’s tough, kind-hearted and hilarious!”

Another thing few people know about her is that she loves archery. She says, “My parents gave me my first bow

when I was about six-years-old, and I’ve been an archer ever since. The bow I have now was actually a graduation present from my parents when I finished my associate’s degree. My parents, especially my dad, have encouraged an appreciation for the outdoors and exposed my sister and me to Florida’s natural beauty while we were growing up.”

If there’s one thing that remains “on target,” it’s her passion for what she does. This passion stems from her belief that teachers are a child’s first glimpse into the world outside of their family. She continues, “If we do not carefully execute each part of our job, we might taint a child’s view, not just of learning, but of life as a whole.”

Buddy Thomas says, “His dedication to improve student learning is enhanced by his firm, fair and friendly manner in which he works with each student every day. Carlos encourages his students and fellow staff members to develop a true appreciation for the work studied and produced by the students he works with on our campus. I believe Mr. Miguez would do a superb job in whatever

area he chose to work in at our school. His dedication to his work and particular attention to detail make him a valuable team member. Carlos is punctual and very meticulous when it comes to reports and day to day activities. His perpetual smile and friendly attitude are contagious.”

For Mr. Miguez his greatest challenge in his role is working with students from around the world who bring to the school environment different cultures, customs and languages. His goal is to make sure his students “understand that we are all humans and we have to respect and understand each other, and nobody is better than the other. My goal is to have a group of students that respect and understand each other without thinking that one culture is better than another.”

Mr. Miguez is unmatched in his efforts to transcend boundaries and transform lives.

“As teachers join forces across subjects and special areas, we have a unique opportunity to engage the total student, create lasting connections, and forge a powerful system of education that will in turn strengthen our communities, state, nation and world.” — Christie Bassett, Teacher, Highlands

Grove Elementary

“His [Carlos’s]dedication to improve student learning is enhanced by his firm, fair and friendly manner in which he works with each student every day. ” — Buddy Thomas, Principal, George

Jenkins High

and now 2015 Florida

Employee SpotlightBreaking news: On July 10, 2014, Christie Bassett was selected to be the 2015 Florida Teacher of the Year

Summer 2014 | The Core 15 14 The Core | Summer 2014

“It’s all about educating the whole child. It’s about infusing and enhancing regular academics while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the arts themselves. ” — Beth Cummings, Director of Fine Arts

“Fine arts education supports and enhances academic achievement,” says Director of Fine Arts Beth Cummings. “It’s all about educating the whole

child. It’s about infusing and enhancing regular academics while maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the arts themselves.” Researchers have repeatedly proven that an education in the arts encourages a suppleness of mind, toleration of ambiguity, a taste for nuance and the ability to make trade-offs among alternative courses of action. Study of the arts also builds an understanding of diversity and the multicultural dimensions of our world.

The team in the District’s Fine Arts Department is responsible for making sure students in Polk County gain exposure and depth in visual and performing arts (dance, music and theatre). Mrs. Cummings shares that her greatest challenge in reaching this goal is time. She continues, “In order to really provide a comprehensive arts education for all of our students we have to battle against time. Sometimes trying to fit quality arts education into the school day and really giving our students information they can absorb and retain can be challenging.” In her current role, she not only oversees the implementation and execution of music, dance and theater programs at the school level, but she is the administrator of the Race-to-the-Top Performing Fine Arts Assessment Project for the State of Florida. As the head of the Fine Arts Department she is also the public face of the arts education programs provided by Polk County Public Schools. She actively serves in different capacities within the community. For instance, she is now the acting president of the Florida Music Education Association. The not-for-profit organization serves and supports music educators across Florida in their efforts to promote quality, comprehensive music education for all Florida students.

Senior Coordinator of Visual Arts Dr. Kymberly Cruz oversees the implementation and execution of visual arts programs in schools. She says, “The art teachers see me as a supervisor, but I see myself as the individual who is there to give support. I believe in helping in whichever way they may need help, whether that means connecting them with the right resources or providing the tools needed to effectively teach students. I also support principals. For example, there are occasions when principals will ask for help hiring an individual who may be the right person for the job. I can assist them in helping to identify the right person based on art specific experience.” Dr. Cruz also does community outreach to build relationships with people and organizations within the art community. Of this she says, “My predecessor Patricia Lamb created a phenomenal legacy of art locally and nationally. My main goal is to preserve that legacy. ”

A key component to providing innovative arts education programs are business partnerships. The District recently partnered with Usher’s New Look and the Rock and Roll

above: (left to right back row) performing fine arts assessment resource specialist Trainer don West, senior Coordinator of visual arts dr. kymberly Cruz, race-to-the-Top performing arts assessment Grant Manager Mary Grace Gordon, fine arts Clerk stacy Mallard, (front row left to right) Teacher resource specialist Madalyn hillard, and director of fine arts beth Cummings

above Top roW: (left to right) dr. kymberly Cruz believes in providing service with a smile, Madalyn hillard is focused on the task at hand, don West welcomes all who come into his office

boTToM roW: (left to right) stacy Mallard is helpful in coordinating the department, Mary Grace Gordon is on the go but paused to admire student artwork

beloW: it’s another busy day for beth Cummings, director of fine arts

Academy. The launch for both of these programs took place on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2. The full courses will begin in the fall. Madalyn Hilliard, a Teacher Resource Specialist for the Fine Arts Department, helped coordinate the efforts. Of the

programs she says, “I believe the programs we are providing in conjunction with Usher’s New Look and the Rock and Roll Academy will help augment the fine arts that’s already in place.” In her next role within the department, Mrs. Hilliard will work with fine arts teachers to develop and present relevant curriculum and professional development. She will also serve as a mentor for new and developing teachers.

Another key component to making sure our students are receiving the best arts education is in the assessment of what students are learning. Race-to-the-Top Performing Arts Assessment Grant Manager Mary Grace Gordon knows this well. These days, much of Ms. Gordon’s time is devoted to serving as a project manager for the Performing Fine Arts Assessment of Florida. The project, which is funded by the Race-to-the-Top state initiative, is aimed at developing a test bank of high quality test items that measure individual student achievement in the Florida Performing Fine Arts content areas that include dance, music and theatre. This project has enlisted the expertise of over 200 teachers statewide as well as college professors and fine arts administrators to develop fine arts assessment items.

Don West has most recently served Polk County in the grant-created-role as a performing fine arts assessment teacher resource specialist trainer. Among many duties, he has assisted with managing the entering of test questions into the item bank as well as being a resource to project participants.

Fine Arts Clerk Stacy Mallard keeps the department running! Not only does she prepare, process and maintain specialized and complex records, forms, and reports but she also coordinates with and assists school personnel, vendors and the public in all things fine arts. The All-County programs and the visual arts catalogs are but a sample of her handiwork.

Director of Fine Arts Beth Cummings says of her staff members, “I am blessed to have a staff that is so dedicated to delivering high quality arts education in Polk County. And I count among my blessings, their commitment to making sure the arts stay an integral part of education for all of our students.”

Caught in Action!Connecting District Office

Services to Schools

Fine Arts Department

Summer 2014 | The Core 17 16 The Core | Summer 2014

lefT: (left to right) Cindy price (Community affairs Manager at TeCo energy), karina Zellner (Wendall Watson elementary), Marie robertson (James e. stephens elementary), laura blanchette (southwest Middle), derek hall (elbert elementary) and lori Cunningham (polk County school board, district 2)

lefT: Melanie Tucker rode an electricity-generating bike during “Green boot Camp” in san diego

lefT: Christie bassett, center, holds $10,000 checkabove: Wellness Team pictured with polk County school board, district 7 member Tim harris

Awards & Recognitions

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Ridge Community High is ranked #66 on the list of top high schools in Florida, according to the 2014 U.S. News and World Report. The school is also recognized as a Silver Medal Award School, becoming one of only 52 schools across the state recognized as a silver medal winner. Each year, U.S. News teams up with the Washington, D.C.-based American Institutes for Research, one of the largest behavioral and social science research organizations in the world, to

produce a listing of the best high schools in Florida and around the nation. Students at Ridge Community High, boast an Advanced Placement participation rate of 62 percent with students taking advantage of the opportunity to take Advanced Placement work and exams. The student body makeup is split down the middle when it comes to gender, with a student population of 50 percent males and 50 percent females. The total minority enrollment is 70 percent.

The Central Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) recently named Ann McCarty the Science Teacher of the Year, in honor of her unwavering devotion to the teaching profession and excellence in the classroom. Mrs. McCarty teaches biology and forensic science at Summerlin Academy in Bartow. Mrs. McCarty holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Florida Southern College. Each year the Central Florida Chapter of the AIChE recognizes a Teacher of the Year in secondary science and math. Two Central Florida teachers are chosen in their respective area of specialty. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers provides leadership to the chemical engineering profession. One of the organization’s goals is to support excellence in education.

In May, Brigham Academy teachers and staff members were selected to present an academic unit in New Orleans at the National Science Teacher Association STEM Forum & Expo. Faculty and staff members outlined an integrated STEM unit, highlighting the infusion of a STEM related curriculum provided through recent funding acquired through a grant provided by the Magnet Schools Assistance Program.

Derek Hall, Laura Blanchette, Marie Robertson, and Karina Zellner are recipients of the Master Key Award. Each year, Polk County Public Schools honors exceptional student education (ESE) teachers chosen in recognition of their tireless dedication to excellence, their perseverance in the face of obstacles and their career longevity. TECO Energy sponsors the awards.

Melanie Tucker, a teacher at Daniel Jenkins Academy of Technology, joined educators from across the globe this week for a workshop exploring energy conservation and sustainability.

More than 450 teachers applied for the “Green Boot Camp” in San Diego. Tucker was one of 70 teachers selected from 12 countries to participate.

The workshop spanned a wide range of topics from solar cars to water conservation. Energy experts led activities to demonstrate concepts in action. Tucker and other teachers took part in hands-on exercises, and discussed how to apply the ideas in their classrooms.

Christie Bassett, an art teacher at Highlands Grove Elementary, was selected to be Florida’s 2015 Teacher of the Year on July 10, 2014.

The Polk County Public Schools Wellness Program has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a 2013 Platinum Fit Friendly Worksite and conferred the Innovation Award for developing and maintaining proven strategies to combat risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. The Fit-Friendly Worksites Program is intended to be a catalyst for positive change in workplaces across America, encouraging employers to make health and wellness a priority by creating a culture of physical activity and health. The 2013 Platinum Award is the American Heart Association’s highest level of achievement. The Worksite Innovation Award is a one-time recognition that reflects an employer’s spirit of initiative and foresight to create and improve its corporate culture of health and wellness.

She devoted her profession to science

Ridge Community High is topping the

charts

Polk County Represented inthe Big Easy!

It’s a cardiovascular

disease takedown

They unlock excellence in the

classroom!

She’s a great ambassador for Polk County and Florida!

I can lightup a room!

18 The Core | Summer 2014

– Provided by Anonymous ContributorsTo submit a humor highlight write to core@polk-fl.net

Humor Highlights

During a class, I stopped at the desk of one of my first graders. He was fooling around and talking to one of his classmates. After making a few attempts to get him to start doing his work, he finally stopped and started working. Then a minute later he looked up at me saying, “You know, I didn’t sign up for this. My parents make me come here.”

I was teaching my first graders about the Amazon rainforest and started talking about trees that have vines hanging from them. One of my students raised her hands and said, “I don’t understand Mr. B. Aren’t ‘VINES’ the things you can see when you look at your arms?”

On my birthday last year, one of my second graders surprised me by bringing me a present. It was a rather hideous looking purse. But nonetheless, I thanked him and told him to make sure he said thank you to his mom when he got home, since he told me beforehand his mom had asked him to give the gift to me. His response to this had me giggling for days, “I don’t think it’s a big deal Mrs. H. See, my mom got the purse as a gift. She didn’t really like it, so she tried giving it away to everyone in our family. But no one wanted it. So she said to bring it to you and give it to you.” What I really wanted to say to my student was, “Have you ever heard the term ‘regifting’?”