On December 2nd, Walton County Career and Technical Education teachers participated in a training to assist them in understanding the importance of creating career pathways for their students.  Walton County's middle schools, high schools and Emerald Coast Technical College participated in this training.  There were also representatives from UF/IFAS (Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences) Extension Office, Chelco, Walton County Sheriff's Office, Toy Box Child Care Center, and WMBB News Channel 13 on hand to talk about the skills necessary to be successful in the workplace. Maggie Solomon from WMBB News Channel 13 provided a story on this meeting which may be viewed at http://www.mypanhandle.com/news/walton-co-school-district-holds-cte-training. Pictured is Leslie Harrison from Emerald Coast Technical College presenting information to Walton County teachers on how to develop their own program advisory board.  This is the first of many community incorporated meetings that Walton County intends to hold in an attempt to make our CTE programs rigorous and relevant to current employer demands.  Submitted by Donna Honish.

     Russell Hughes began his career as a teacher at Choctawhatchee High School in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida where he taught business law & management, math and keyboarding. Russell was identified by the principal as having excellent classroom management, discipline and instructional skill. Consequently he was appointed dean of students managing discipline for ninth and tenth grades until transferring to Richbourg Middle School in Crestview, Florida. Russell served as Assistant Principal and Head Football Coach at Richbourg from 1997-2000.

     Russell’s career with the Walton County School District began at Walton Middle School in August of 2000. He became principal in 2004 .  Under his leadership Walton Middle School earned their first “A” grade, which was maintained for two consecutive years.   Walton Middle School was selected as one of the top 20 schools in the state, having made the most year to year progress in student learning gains. Additionally, Walton Middle School was the first middle school in the county to make an “A” and achieve AYP in the same year.  In recognition of their academic achievement, the school was awarded funds for their performance from the state and congratulatory letters from former Governors Charlie Christ and Jeb Bush.

     In 2007, Mr. Hughes was assigned to Walton High School as Principal. For the following eight years, Walton High School excelled in academic performance.  The School has been awarded a “B” grade for six years from the state grading system, two of which were more than 100 points above an “A.”  Although, the School’s accumulated points were significant, an “A” eluded them by less than two points in critical areas.  For the past two years, (2014-2015) Walton High has been identified by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s Best High Schools.  Also, In 2015, they were named one of two schools in the state of Florida and one of fifty in the United States as “Most Inspiring Schools.”  Russell’s individual recognition includes; Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Teacher of the Year Candidate every year while in classroom, Outstanding Young Americans and the completion of the first Commissioners Leadership Academy.

As a first generation college graduate, Mr. Hughes is passionate about encouraging young men and young ladies to obtain post-secondary education. Russell looks continually to uncover strategic methods that will inspire students to unlock their potential to become successful academically, behaviorally, socially and individually.  When Russell isn’t busy inspiring students he can be found inspiring those that attend the church he and his wife founded in 2000.  The church began with seven charter members and has grown to a current membership of more than 150. 

     Russell Hughes is a lifelong learner and educator. He loves his church, enjoys reading, playing golf and spending time with family and friends.  Mr. Hughes makes his home in DeFuniak Springs, Florida with his wife, Lori and daughter, Micah.

Paxton School students from pre-k to high school, and even parents, were engaged in exciting STEM activities at the Nov. 29 Science Night. The science themed night was held in conjunction with a home basketball game and students had the opportunity to participate in various science activities throughout the night's games including piloting a flight simulator with the assistance of Major Justin Elliott, a U.S. Air Force test pilot, launching straw rockets with Dr. John Fay, a scientist with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, and trying their hand taking photos with a thermal imaging camera with Rob Wilson, an engineer with FLIR. 

 

In addition, students operated Sphero robots, got their hands dirty with oobleck, attempted to knock cups off a cheerleader's head with an air cannon, made aerospace artwork out of Wikki Stix, and even took science selfies.

 

PHS sends a huge thank you out to the Northwest Florida chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for providing STEM professionals to teach students and donating a Sphero robot to give-away, as well as FLIR for providing a STEM professional and donating a thermal imaging camera as a prize.  Submitted by Kalli McMillan.

West DeFuniak Elementary is pleased to recognize Mrs. Stephanie Todd-Chambers (left) and Mrs. Hope Allen (right).  Mrs. Todd-Chambers has been selected as our Educational Support Person of the Year.  She works with our ESE students and always has an encouraging word to go along with her smile.  Mrs. Allen is our Teacher of the Year.  She is a 5th grade teacher and challenges her students to always do their best!  Congratuations to these two wonderful ladies!