Polk County Public Schools
Raedell Coogler and Jessica Fredricks, teachers at Haines City’s Bethune Academy, were one of 14 winners nationally of a 2008 Cable Leader In Learning Award. They were honored on June 18 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and shared a $3,000 cash prize.
Cable’s Leader in Learning Awards are sponsored by cable televisions’ Cable in the Classroom education foundation and honors individuals for advancing learning through the use of cable television.
Coogler, an art teacher and Fredricks, a music teacher, used cable resources to educate and create awareness among students about the prominence of African-American musicians and artists that included Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and B.B. King
They also used cable resources for a school fundraising project helping a children’s orphanage in South Africa. Students created portraits of jazz musicians and refurbished old baritone ukuleles into works of art. The portraits and ukuleles were then sold in auctions. The school also held an aluminum and penny drive to raise funds for the orphanage. The school raised more than $7,000 in the various projects that were aided by cable television resources.
Four Polk teachers and a staff member received the school district’s 2008 Master Key Awards for making significant contributions working with special needs and exceptional student education (ESE) students. Recipients of 2008 Master Key Awards are listed with their school and a summary of their accomplishment and achievement:
--Gina Baldwin, Lakeland’s Socrum Elementary, is a key member of her school’s inclusion program which educates special needs students in settings with regular education students.
--Renee Bissett, Winter Haven’s Garner Elementary, is an expert at selecting the proper placements for her students and has a positive attitude and demeanor that influences others. Also maintains strong relationships with parents so her students get the most out of their educations both at home and at school.
--Pamela Gray, Lake Wales’ McLaughlin Middle And Fine Arts Academy, successfully integrates special needs students into all school activities and coordinates a graduation ceremony at the end of the year for her students that is memorable and special.
--Sarah Grabbe (school district occupational therapist), develops plans to provide access for special needs students in their school environment and is also a tennis coach with Special Olympics.
--Cathy Hill, Lakeland’s Medulla Elementary, is a strong advocate for her students and is a key resource to her colleagues and school’s staff. Also maintains strong relationships with parents so her students get the most out of their educations both at home and at school.