Beverly Howard is running for the District 4 seat on the Citrus County School Board.
1. Why are you running for this office?
I recently retired from the Citrus County School District. I have over twenty-five years of experience as a classroom teacher, and two years experience at the district level. I have viewed the district from 40,000 feet, and see the big picture.
I have reaped the benefits of teaching in the Citrus County School System, and am ready, willing, and able to give back to my community by serving on the school board.
2. Why do you think you are the best qualified candidate for the office?
I taught in four states, served on the FCAT Reading Passage Review Committee for two years, was teacher of the year for the school district in 2011, and have district level experience. I have a fresh master’s degree (2011) in instruction and curriculum. For the past two years I served the school district as a K-12, curriculum content area specialist for Social Studies.
I have an understanding of the fear-driven push for a change in curriculum and instruction. During my years on our district staff, I observed as the Legislature, along with the state Department of Education, made huge changes in student assessments, graduation requirements, and curriculum (such as the change from Common Core to Florida standards).
Understanding curriculum and instruction is my strength, and as one of five, I will share my knowledge and experience in the area as we carefully make decisions that will affect this generation and future generations.
3. If you are elected, what will be your top priorities?
1. Expand relationships with parents, guardians, and community groups. (A successful school system requires an involved and supportive community.) If elected, I will place a strong focus on reaching out to parents, guardians, and community groups and organizations that are dedicated to providing resources to enhance the quality of education in Citrus County.
In my job as Social Studies Teacher on Special Assignment, I maintained a close relationship with the Education Foundation (received a grant to support Social Studies instruction), Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship (received curriculum and assessment support), the Clerk of Courts, Citrus County Law Day Committee, the Inverness Court House Museum, Holocaust Survivors, and many other organizations.
These organizations provided support for classroom teachers for Constitution Week, Patriots Day, Flag instruction, Holocaust instruction, Law Day, Veterans Day, and governmental affairs. Involving the community in required instruction was effective, well received, and can be expanded.
2. I am committed to supporting a rigorous curriculum and providing teachers with the tools and resources that they need to meet the needs of all level learners. Teachers must be provided with support from mentors, administration, and district curriculum specialists as they adapt to the seemingly constant stream of changes in curriculum and testing.
The past two years of district experience, and a current master’s degree in curriculum, has given me insight into the changes in testing and curriculum. I will bring that knowledge to the table as a school board member.
3. Provide a strong focus on raising the expectation of qualified students to post-secondary education. Ensure that students who choose not to pursue a post-secondary education are provided with the core set of knowledge and skills that will be required to live a successful and productive life. We must ensure that students who choose not to pursue a post-secondary education are provided with the core set of knowledge and skills that will be required to live a successful and productive life.
Judging from the numerous scholarships awarded by community groups (such as the Golden Citrus Scholar Awards, Women of Sugar mill Woods, ROTC Awards), the International Baccalaureate program, AP course results, and Dual Enrollment results, our district is indeed producing college-ready students. Continued support of the International Baccalaureate, AP, and Dual Enrollment programs for those students who excel should be provided.