Page 25 - Florida Sentinel 2-1-19

Celebrating Educators
KENYA SUTTON
YEARS TEACHING: 22 SCHOOL: Pierce Middle School
SUBJECT: Media Specialist BACKGROUND: “I gradu- ated from Florida A&M Uni- versity in the field of Elementary Education and began teaching in Tampa, FL. During my time as an elemen- tary teacher, I was a mentor teacher, team leader, served as the School Advisory Chair, and was a supervising teacher to perspective interns. As an ed- ucator
“I feel that it is important to further my craft and earned a Reading Endorsement; and became certified in the areas of Gifted Education and ESOL. In addition, I earned Master’s Degree in Educational Leader- ship from the University of South Florida.
“I became a gifted teacher at Young Middle Magnet School teaching Math and Sci- ence. I earned a Specialist De- gree from Nova Southeastern University in Education.
“I feel that it is important to have an understanding and love for my profession and consider myself a life- long learner and will continue ad- vancing my education.”
HALIMAH THOMAS
YEARS TEACHING: 7 SCHOOL: Clair-Mel Elemen- tary
SUBJECT: 5th Grade Math and Science BACKGROUND: “I gradu- ated from King High School, where I was a part of their Early Childhood Program (Kings Kids). I later attended Brewster Technical Center, where I obtained my CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) and Directors Cre- dential Certificate. I left there and attended Hillsborough Community College, receiving my Associate’s Degree in Ele- mentary Education. Upon completion of community col- lege, I transferred to the Uni- versity of South Florida, where
I received my Bachelor’s in El- ementary Education Certified in K-6.”
COMMENTS: “Teaching is my ministry, and through all the ups and downs in educa- tion, I truly believe that my mission and purpose is to change the lives of students one at a time.”
YOLANDA E. TURNER YEARS TEACHING: 19
SCHOOL: Orange Grove Middle Magnet School of the Arts
SUBJECT: Varying Excep- tionalities w/Language Arts BACKGROUND: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Edward Waters College, Master’s De- gree in Education, University of Phoenix, Post-graduate studies in Behavior Disorders, University of South Florida, and Master’s Degree in Enter- tainment Business – Full Sail University
COMMENTS: Yolanda E. Turner is an author, a motiva- tional speaker, a coach, and a teacher. She is best known for her innovative instructional strategies and her expertise in classroom management and behavior management tech- niques. Her book, titled, “Be- come a Kid Whisperer: 10
Strategies to Build Harmo- nious Relationships with Your Youngsters,” is a curation of practical and effective tech- niques that assist adults with establishing and maintaining rapport with their youth.
Yolanda has received nu- merous awards for her com- mitment to excellence in education including the Ida S. Baker Distinguished Educator Award, The Drum Major of the Year Award, the Exceptional Student Education Teacher of the Year Award, and the Florida Department.
KANESHIA WILLIAMS
YEARS TEACHING: 18 SCHOOL: Paul L. Sheehy El- ementary
SUBJECT: 5th Grade All Subjects
BACKGROUND: University of South Florida 2001 Elemen- tary Education, Nova South- eastern University 2010 Reading, M. S., University of Tampa 2020 Educational Leadership, M. S. COMMENTS: “Above and Beyond is Where Greatness Lies” As an educator, I have to go beyond the norm to reach my students at times, but in the end it’s worth it. The stu- dents are our future. My career
changes lives and I am proud to be an educator.
KAREN WILLIS- BARRETT
YEARS TEACHING: 19 SCHOOL: Howard W. Blake SUBJECT: AVID BACKGROUND:
University of South Florida, Bachelor of Arts in Special Ed- ucation
National Louis University, Master’s in Administration and Supervision.
ANTONIO YOUNG YEARS TEACHING: 21
SCHOOL: Woodrow Wilson Middle School
SUBJECT: Science & Robot- ics
BACKGROUND: I attended Florida State University, earn- ing a B. S. in Education. COMMENTS: “Outside of work, I am involved in a num- ber of things. I play tennis on
a local tennis league. I also serve at my church, Bridge- point Church, in St. Peters- burg, as part of the Creative Arts team and participate in community choral and theatre productions. I furthermore serve as the Chapter Advisor for the Gamma Chi Chapter at USF of my Fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau and have done so for the past 8 years.”
CAMETRA EDWARDS YEARS IN EDUCATION:
21
SCHOOL: Village of Excel- lence Academy
SUBJECT: Executive Direc- tor
BACKGROUND: Dr. Came- tra Edwards founded the Vil- lage of Excellence Academy (VOEA) in 1999 in Tampa, FL. She served as its Principal for 15 years before assuming the role of Executive Director in 2015.
Dr. Edwards earned a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of South Florida and completed her un- dergraduate degree in Social Science Education from the University of Central Florida.
Dr. Edwards is an excellent resource to the Florida charter community, having served as the President of the Charter School Leaders-Florida, Prin- cipals’ Association for 3 con- secutive terms.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13-B