Advisory Councils

In an effort to expand external stakeholder input and collaboration, the School of Education (SOE) developed two distinct advisory councils. The first council was designed to support all certification programs in the previous Teacher Education and Educational Leadership department. In response to previous CAEP feedback, the Alternative Certification program (ALTC) was invited to participate with the council. This has increased stakeholder engagement and understanding of the ALTC program and their role in preparing effective candidates for the classroom. In 2022, it was determined that the Educational Leadership program (EDL) would benefit from a separate advisory council to meet the specific challenges of its program. The first meeting was held in Spring 2023.

School of Education Advisory Council

Mission Statement and Membership

The purpose of the UWF School of Education (SOE) Advisory Council is to develop a collaborative vision based upon a mutually beneficial partnership that will support the development of highly qualified educational professionals. Our meetings will provide a forum for the exchange of information, suggestions, needs, and perspectives about professional education practices and programs in order to enhance our teacher education and reading degrees. The council will review all programs that lead to educator certification to ensure program quality and positive student impact. The council will make recommendations to the appropriate university governance committees and administrative levels concerning programs that lead to educator certification.

The council meets three times a year (each semester) to provide input on items such as rubrics, candidate handbook updates, clinical experiences, data review, program updates at the local and/or state level, and to discuss needs in local school districts.

Council membership includes representatives from local school districts and the SOE, reflected in the current membership.

University of West Florida – School of Education Representatives

• Lead Council Member - Kelly Aeppli-Campbell
• Dr. Jennifer Stark - Chair, Teaching, Leadership and Research, SOE
• TBD - Faculty, Reading
• Dr. Christopher Wirth - Chair, Movement Sciences and Health (PETE)
• Tatiana Keith - Alternative Certification Program, TeacherReady
• Elizabeth Arthur, Office of Assessment, Accreditation, and Student Progress
• Dr. Mercedes Musto, Office of Assessment, Accreditation, and Student Progress

County/School District Representation

Escambia County:

• Catrena Fieg - Principal
• Sondra Hill - ESE Director
• Meghan Holliday - Assistant Principal
• Christin Love - Teacher
• TBD - Workforce Education Specialist
• Dr. Charmaine Sutherland - Escambia PE Specialist
• Brianna English - Assistant Principal
• Nikki Gill - Teacher (Early Childhood Academy)
• Sabrina Lyons - Teacher (Westgate/Special Education)
• Rachel Rodriguez - Title II Grant Specialist/New Teacher Institute Administrator

Santa Rosa County:

• Jennifer Confusione - Teacher
• Tracy Fischetti - Teacher
• Kristen White - Mentor Coach
• Jennifer Hines - Director of Workforce Education
• Warren Stevens - Director of Continuous Improvement

Okaloosa County:

• Sharon Duron - Program Director, Professional Services

Other External Stakeholders

• Jessica McMillan - FL Regional Literacy Director, FL Department of Education
• Kimberly Stafford - Principal, Creative Learning Academy (Private school)

Education Leadership Advisory Council

Mission Statement and Membership

The advisory council is a mutually beneficial partnership that will collaborate with the faculty and advisory members to provide feedback to:

• update, modify, expand, and improve the quality of the Educational Leadership Program;
• review and provide to strengthen the curriculum and content;
• collaborate to review program data and identify strengths and areas for improvement;
• develop a platform for members to connect with one another and share ideas, information, and best practices;
• foster opportunities to serve and promote professional learning with partnership districts; and
• advocate for high-quality programs and partner with the Educational Leadership faculty to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of schools and districts in Florida.

The council meets twice a year (fall and spring semesters) to provide input on items such as rubrics, clinical experiences, data review, and program updates at the local and/or state levels, and to discuss opportunities, challenges, and needs throughout the state.

Council membership includes representatives from the SOE and diverse school districts, as reflected in the current membership.

University of West Florida – School of Education Representatives

• Dr. Julie Gray - EDL Faculty
• Dr. Aneta Walker - EDL Faculty
• Dr. Vic Wilson - EDL Faculty
• Elizabeth Arthur, Office of Assessment, Accreditation, and Student Progress

County/School District Representation

Escambia County:

• Dr. Nicole Owens-Braggs, Principal Pleasant Grove Elementary
• Dr. Nicole Everette, Principal
• Sheena Payne, Deputy Superintendent
• Dr. David Williams, District 3 School Board Representative

Santa Rosa County:

• Mike Thorpe, Assistant Superintendent - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
• William B. J. Price, Human Resources Director
• Liz West, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources

Okaloosa County:

• Jessica Landry, Assistant Principal, Bluewater Elementary, Niceville
• Suzanne Boyd, Principal, Wright Elementary
• Tammy Matz, Principal Plew Elementary
• Lindsey Smith, Principal, Lewis Elementary

Other Florida Counties:

• Cody Bylsma - Bay County, Assistant Principal, Rutherford High School
• Stacey Worrell - Gilcrest County, Assistant Principal, Bell Elementary
• Luis Jara - Alumni, Vice Principal, Vancouver, Washington
• Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne - Walton County, Deputy Superintendent

Other External Stakeholders

• Cindy Maiga, Department of Corrections