Polk County Public Schools
Cheryl Watford, computer network manager at Auburndale High, held a leadership position and presented a program at the Florida Educational Technology Council (FETC) event held in Orlando.
The FETC is one of the nation’s largest educational technology conferences where experts, educators and administrators share ideas and best practices for engaging students with digital media to improve student achievement. FETC participants learned classroom-tested strategies and tactics for enhancing classroom instruction through digital integration.
Watford is a member of the Florida Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council affiliated with the Discovery, Animal Planet and Science channels. She regularly writes and posts articles to the council’s blog that are relevant to teachers integrating technology in their classrooms. Thomas Turner, computer network manager at Poinciana’s Lake Marion Creek School is also a member of the leadership council.
Watford participated at a FETC event titled “Day of Discovery.”
“Cheryl demonstrated a tremendous level of leadership in planning the Day of Discovery,” said Scott Kinney, Discovery Education vice president of outreach and professional development. “Across the country, forward thinking educators are putting aside traditional textbooks and embracing digital content as their primary instructional tool to engage students in learning. Cheryl, and other council members, are leading this effort.”
Margaret Anne Wheeler, senior coordinator of community involvement for Polk Public Schools, was recipient of the Steven Tunick Service Learning Award at the 16th Annual Florida Service Learning Institute event held in Orlando.
The award is given each year to a kindergarten to 12th grade school district administrator or educator making a significant impact on the growth of service learning in Florida. Service learning combines an academic component with community service and leadership.
The award is posthumously named for Steven Tunick, a national leader in the development of intergenerational service-learning partnerships.
For 10 years, Wheeler has provided leadership, guidance and oversight to improve, sustain and expand service learning in Polk County. She coordinates the district’s student participation in the Florida Learn & Serve program. Click here for more information about the Florida Learn & Serve program. Wheeler has also been involved with the PeaceJam and Penny Harvest service learning programs. Wheeler also oversees the school district’s volunteer program where more than 32,000 community members provide assistance as volunteers, mentors, tutors and other roles.
