Oct. 19, 2018 - This morning, 35 outstanding Duval County Public Schools teachers were awarded brand new personalized touchscreen laptops for their achievement in completing the DCPS Innovative Educator Program.
These teachers are the first of more than 380 participants across 81 schools to be nominated by their principals to participate in the exclusive program, which consists of 30 hours of online courses and six hours of face-to-face training focused on Office 365 Applications.
Donna Mathis, a career and technical education teacher at Atlantic Coast High School, was surprised about how much more of an edge she has now after having completed the program.
"I knew a lot about some of the stuff in the course," said Mathis. "However, as I was going through the program, I was uncovering some things that were even new to me and I knew would be advantageous for students."
The laptops gifted to the teachers are the first ThinkPads to have a touchscreen feature for teachers to utilize. This is one feature that math teacher at Atlantic Coast High School, Laurie McDonald, is thrilled about.
"I am super happy to have a new laptop," said McDonald. "Being able to use a touch screen will make everything so much easier."
The rest of the nominated teachers are excited to be the next to complete the DCPS Innovative Educator Program and get their own new touchscreen laptop in the near future. Any teacher interested in the program can contact their school's principal for more information.
Congratulations to the outstanding teachers who completed the program:
Ms. Laurie Mcdonald | Atlantic Coast High School
Mr. Edwin Wagner | Terry Parker
Ms. Jesica Pearce | Lake Lucina Elementary
Ms. Ashleigh Haug | Henry F. Kite Elementary School
Ms. Jill Sullivan | Mayport Middle
Ms. Sarah Smith | John Stockton Elementary School
Ms. Carmen Polanco | Alfred I. duPont Middle School
Ms. Faye Hunt | Chaffee Trail Elementary
Ms. Donna Mathis | Atlantic Coast High School
Mr. William Moredock | Oceanway Middle
Ms. Elizabeth Rosario Otero | A. Philip Randolph Career Academies
Ms. Margaret Rogero-Hastings | Mandarin Oaks Elementary
Ms. Laquanda Paschal | Jean Ribault High School
Mr. Brannon Lutz | Sandalwood High School
Ms. Rebecca Geoghagan | San Jose Elementary
Ms. Gina Riley | Loretto Elementary
Ms. Nadine Ebri | Southside Middle School
Ms. Hollie Reno | Abess Park Elementary
Ms. Carie Skube | Jacksonville Beach Elementary School
Mr. Victor Chrispin | Bridge to Success Academy at West Jax
Ms. Mary Dennis-Gannon | Lone Star Elementary
Ms. Mallory Fowler | Ramona Blvd Elementary
Mr. Joseph Rawlins | Kernan Middle School
Mr. John Vitale | Kernan Middle School
Ms. Karrie Mccary | New Berlin Elementary
Ms. Adrienne Lodico | San Jose Elementary
Ms. Wendy Sanford | Abess Park Elementary
Mr. Paul Carlson | Frank H. Petersen
Ms. Jennifer Eavenson | San Jose Elementary
Ms. Kimberly Niebauer | Loretto Elementary
Ms. Gina Parson | Mandarin Oaks Elementary
Mr. Scott Fretz | Fletcher Middle School
Mr. Peter Berta | Terry Parker High School
Ms. Karen Siegrist | Pinedale Elementary
Mr. Chris Couch | Duncan U. Fletcher Middle