Polk County Public Schools
Polk County’s Exceptional Student Education Department meets the needs of over 15,000 students from preschool through 22 years of age. A continuum of services is provided for each of the exceptionalities. Transition programs are also available to those students who are graduating with a special diploma so that they may become functional adults within their society. The ESE Department has over 800 teachers that participate in in-service training throughout the year to insure continued success for the children and young adults that they serve. Additional support services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health counseling, assistive technology and audiological evaluations are provided to the students as needed.
The Exceptional Student Education Department enhances the instructional program of every school by helping students who are encountering roadblocks to successful learning.
The Polk County Schools’ ESE Department is supervised by a Director. There are five Senior Managers that serve as liaisons to schools within their designated areas. The Senior Managers assist parents with providing programming needs for their children. If you have any questions or need addition information, please call the ESE District Office at 534-0930 and the secretary will direct your concerns to the appropriate person.
| Name: | Title & Location: | Phone: | Fax: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diane Taylor | ESE Director Bartow Municipal Airport #270, Bartow, Fl 33830 |
534-0930 | 519-8407 |
| Leslie Allore | Senior Manager Northwest Area Office 304 North Fern Road, Lakeland, FL 33801 |
499-2826 | 499-2882 |
| Teri Crace | Senior Manager Northeast Area 945 N Buena Vista Blvd., Lake Alfred, FL 33850 |
956-2082 | 956-2088 |
| Lisa Martin | Senior Manager Southwest Area - Lakeland Highlands Middle 740 Lake Miriam Drive, Lakeland, FL 33813 |
648-3248 | 648-3254 |
| Teri Bronson | Senior Manager Southeast Area Office 1785 East Wabash, Bartow, FL 33830 |
534-7480 | 519-3627 |
| Teresa Fields | Senior Manager East Area Office 250 East Grove Avenue, Lake Wales FL 33853 |
679-4338 | 679-4832 |
| Karen Toppin | Senior Manager Transition - Bartow Municipal Airport #270, Bartow, FL 33830 |
534-0934 | 519-8861 |
| Angela Bottom | Senior Manager Bartow Municipal Airport #270, Bartow, Fl 33830 |
519-8870 | 519-7559 |