Polk County Public Schools
Two Polk teachers were recipients of Bright House Networks’ 2010 Star Teacher Awards. The Star Teacher Awards honor innovative educators using cable programming resources and technology in their instruction.
Polk teachers winning a Star Teacher Award were Jessica Fredricks and Alicia Hughes of Haines City’s Bethune Academy. They were among 25 teachers across Central Florida to receive a Star Teacher Award. Jessica and Alicia won $1,500 each, a Crystal Star trophy, Disney tickets and a retail gift card at the Star Teacher awards event held in Orlando over the summer.
Jessica and Alicia won the award for their project that brought together Bethune students with special needs students from Lake Alfred’s Karen M. Siegel Academy. Jessica and Alicia used cable television programming to teach Bethune students about individuals with disabilities, including Asperger’s Disorder, Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy. Bethune students partnered with Karen Siegel students as “buddies.”
The Bethune students learned how to communicate effectively with their buddies and spoke to the community eloquently and knowledgeably about equality for individuals with disabilities. They also worked to educate the community and their messages centered on tolerance and appreciation for people with disabilities.
Students at both schools participated together in a number of learning activities. They went on nature excursions at a reclaimed sand mining site in northeastern Polk and studied wildlife habitats. They also teamed on a “Take A Veteran To School” event where they honored local veterans with a ceremony and lunch. Both schools also put on a series of concerts where they performed together.
A total of 500 students between the two schools participated in the partnership and learning.
