Florida schools make time to honor top teachers, staff
A roundup of Florida education news from around the state.
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Pinellas teacher of the year, Sarah Painter, who teaches fifth grade at Eisenhower Elementary School, right, sinks into a congratulatory hug with Principal Antonette Wilson moments after finding out she is one of five finalists for Florida Teacher of the Year on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at the school in Clearwater. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Updated Earlier today
Find joy. Thatâs the message that Pinellas County teacher of the year Sarah Painter brings to her students when they struggle or despair. They turn it right back to Painter when sheâs feeling down, too. No wonder sheâs getting honors. Read on for that story and more Florida education news.
Expanding Pace s presence: Q+A with new Pace Executive Director Sheila Jordan ormondbeachobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ormondbeachobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Updated Feb. 4
Another legislative session, another spate of hot-button education issues likely to generate animated debate with the likelihood of pushing lawmakers to the final days before a vote. Already on the front burner are vouchers, mandatory moments of silence and more. Read on for the latest on this and other Florida education news.
Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed letting parents retain their children because of learning losses last spring. A Democratic senator is advancing the concept in legislation that won support in its first committee stop.
The Florida Senateâs big voucher bill had its first committee hearing.No surprises in the outcome, the
Months later, many Florida teachers still wait for raises Jeffrey S. Solochek, Tampa Bay Times
Last spring, Florida lawmakers approved $500 million to put into teacher pay instead of bonuses. They aimed to boost the starting salary for educators to $47,500. But their plan didn’t include much money for teachers who aren’t in classrooms, such as reading coaches and guidance counselors, or for more veteran instructors who already earn more than the base. That led to some contentious negotiations over the money. Read on for the latest on this and other Florida education news.
Several school districts still haven’t concluded collective bargaining to get the raises to their teachers. Education commissioner Richard Corcoran and some State Board of Education members blamed “union bosses,” whom they called “irrational,” the News Service of Florida reports. ‣ The Palm Beach County School Board approved its pay plan this week, WPTV reports. ‣ The Volusia C