ST. AUGUSTINE – INK!, Clay Education Foundation and Jacksonville Public Education Fund hosted the Second Annual Tri-County Summit held on Feb. 20 for 120 Northeast Florida teachers as an opportunity to virtually view and listen to a variety of presenters with topics designed for relaxation, fun, nurturing and education.
The speakers included Krista Stanley, who is the 2020-21 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year. Stanley was honored among more than 176,900 Florida public school teachers and is a sixth-grade teacher at Yearling Middle School in Okeechobee County.
During the Summit, Stanley covered coaching and mentoring methods for colleagues and new teachers, team leadership to support curriculum development, textbook adoption, and professional development to ensure all students receive a high-quality education. She also covered key points on what teachers should strive for as devoted educators in guiding each student to mastery of content. She serves through the year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, working to create greater public awareness of Florida’s outstanding teachers and elevating the education profession.
The Summit presentation is part of Stanley’s role to promote and celebrate the countless contributions of Florida’s teachers while providing professional learning opportunities to educators and recruit future teachers into the education field.
Additionally, keynote speaker Jeremy Anderson motivated the online participants as a leading expert, author, and one of the premier motivational speakers in the educational arena. His focus is to help students and teachers become the best version of themselves. Years ago, Jeremy experienced many challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse and constant failure in school. He was able to become a powerful speaker who inspires and instructs students, teachers, and leaders on how to take their lives to the next level.
Anderson shared his testimony in Next Level Living as he went on to receive his high school diploma, and obtain his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He now owns several successful businesses and has authored a variety of books on his methods for living a positive life.
The Summit also featured lively breakout sessions, a positive think tank, Brain-Based Therapy with Liz Villanueva, MS, LMHC, and tips on relaxation with organic gardening basics, beginning and power yoga, Zumba and cooking classes, and dance, among others.
Clay Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works directly with educators and administration to improve public education in Clay County. Through innovative programming, grants, community partnerships, and events, the organization ensures that teachers and students have the resources they need to reach their full potential.
St. Johns County Education Foundation, Inc. operates as INK! (Investing in Kids). The nonprofit organization leads efforts to directly benefit educators and students in the St. Johns County School District with a mission to provide innovative programs and classroom resources, and to promote the academic success of students. INK! provides the tools and resources for teachers to help each child reach their full potential.
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is an independent think-and-do tank that believes in the potential of all students. The nonprofit works tirelessly to close the opportunity gap for low-income students and students of color in Duval County.
“What began as an initiative for local schoolteachers across the three counties has boomed into an active summit open to all educators in the local area, plus Clay County and Jacksonville,” said Donna Lueders, INK!’s Executive Director, “We are so pleased to present the day of inspiration for our teachers who are the heroes of our communities.” Any teacher interested in attending the virtual program was able to register free of charge. According to Lueders, the activities are slated to be held again in 2022. For more information, contact Donna Lueders at 904-547-7120 or email Donna.Lueders@stjohns.k12.fl.us. Visit the website at www.ink-stjohns.org.