2009 Honorary Member of Celebrity Educator:

Ms. Vernice Andrews

I established goals to learn skills and strategies for problem solving in the field of education while attending Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Sociology was my major and secondary education was my minor at the beginning of my college studies in 1968. During that time, an Ad Hoc administrative committee was formed at the college to decide upon courses to be implemented in Black Studies. I was selected to work on this powerful committee.  Black Studies was implemented at the college because of our collaborative efforts. Issues in education included accountability for laws regarding equal access and effectiveness in curriculum, curriculum standards, and adequate materials. Engaging students in learning as a means of effective outcomes for these issues became an irreversible destiny for me.

While completing course work to become ESE certified at the University of South Florida, I taught a Middle School self-contained class. The 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade students had been referred to as "non-learners" needing to be in a "holding class". This was most definitely a problem in education and a very difficult time for an ESE teacher. However, I chose to apply best practices with systematic procedures, clear rules and consistency. Students found strength in their instructional level. They began to compete with their own strengths for their own self-worth. Students eventually would re-think and self correct math problems. Students were given an opportunity to practice age-appropriate activist and receive feedback. Decoding skills were used with decreased reaction to below grade level materials. In time many of them would volunteer to read aloud. A community of learners was achieved in difficult and often discriminating circumstances. A positive reinforcement plan was put into place. Every Thursday became a day to complete unfinished seat work along with computer lab time. Following the Middle School experience, I completed the FLDOE Reading Endorsement courses.

Successful outcomes of research based strategies and professional development experiences have helped maintain my passion for teaching. In 2004, a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership was achieved from Nova Southeastern University. I celebrated the opportunities in education for students and their families, as well as the support of community workers and dedicated educators.

2009 Honorary Member of Celebrity Educator:

Ms. Hope Smith

I am Hope Smith. I only decided to become a teacher seven years ago.  I have always wanted to help people in some way, yet I was not sure of what area or angle to go with my humanitarian instincts, but it was leaning a little toward law. While volunteering regularly at the elementary school that my daughter attended, her principal noticed my hard work and dedication and offered me a position as a part-time paraprofessional. I did not know then that this would be the beginning of a new career for me. It took another four years of working in the classroom for me to realized that I was a born teacher.

In 2002, I registered at Florida Memorial University to pursue bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Getting my first degree in 2007 was contagious, it made me hunger for a higher education. In 2007, I enrolled at Nova Southeastern University to pursue a master's degree in secondary education. I graduated in April 2009 with a master's degree in Reading Education. Upon graduating, I was happy but I didn't feel complete. Today, I am still attending Nova Southeastern University in hope of one day receiving my doctorate's degree in Instructional Leadership and becoming a University Professor or Dean of Education.

Although, I have not made any great impact in education, I do make small impacts in education daily. I have worked in the educational arena for 12 years, ten years as a paraprofessional and two years as a classroom teacher. I am an educator at Miami Southridge Senior High. I chose education as my career path because I hope to be able to make a small difference in a child's life. Time and time again I have seen children being educated poorly and/or not having appropriate role models in their life. I am an educator who not only conveys the appropriate curriculum to my students, but I am also here to be a counselor, coach, mentor, and a parent. Failing to fulfill these roles gives a child the chance to slip through the educational system without having the opportunity to influence them to some degree.

Educating children profoundly affects their lives and influences the life of anyone who comes into contact with those children. Education provides a foundation for a child to base the rest of his or her life on. Without a solid education, it becomes impossible for an individual to be a productive member of society. I am in the business of educating children and that's what I love doing. "Each one, reach one, each one, teach one!"

2010 Honorary Member of Celebrity Educator:

Mr. Antoine LaFontant

Current Position:

Boy Scouts of America

Central Florida Council 

District Executive of Apopka Shores

Education:

Florida A&M University

B.S. in Psychology

Background:

I have been involved in contributing to the education of tomorrow's leaders in various areas. Over the past ten years, I have worked and volunteered in areas such as mental health care for adolescent children, Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and Scouting which has evolved into a professional career in the Boy Scouts of America.

Hobbies: Tennis, Golfing, Fishing and Traveling

Motivational 2010 Boy Scouts Video of  Mr. LaFontant:

Go To the internet and google youtube and type in their search window:  Cubs - Boy Talks with Antoine LaFontant "Growl Like a Tiger." 

Mr. LaFontant is referenced in the article from the West Orange Times regarding Boy Scouts Celebrating 100 Years:

http://www.westorangetimes.com/articles/2010/02/03/news/editorial/editorial03.prt

"Expanding the Minds to be Leaders Just in Time"

Ms. Woodard is a full time highly qualified elementary school teacher. She is a part time Adult Education Instructor for students taking the "Early Childhood Creative Classroom" course. In addition, Ms. Woodard is an A+ Tutor U after school tutor.

Education

University of Central Florida Graduate ~ Bachelor of Science Degree ~ Elementary Education

Director's License in Early Childhood (CDA)

English Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement

Honors

2003 Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Superintendent's Grant Recipient

Title of Grant: "A Family that Reads Together Succeeds Together"

Community Involvement

• Church leader
• Gives the homeless a hand up in life
• Manager of an educational summer program that helps children continue making learning gains

2010 Honorary Member of Celebrity Educator:

Dr. Carl Seltzer

I believe all students should discover and/or invent mathematical ideals. My favorite quote is:

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WE NEED TO REINVENT THE WHEEL, NOT BECAUSE WE NEED MORE WHEELS, BUT BECAUSE WE NEED MORE INVENTORS.  (author unknown)

Education: 

I hold a BS, MS and PhD from University of Evansville, Southern Illinois University and LaSalle University with degrees in Mathematics/Physics, Education/Mathematics and Education/Mathematics.  Other colleges and Universities attended include Purdue University, St. Louis University, Baldwin-Wallace College.

Educational Jobs Held:
Mathematics Teacher. East Alton-Wood River H. S., Mathematics Supervisor, Schaumburg, Ill., Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Schaumburg, Il, Director of Seminars and Publications, National Education Company, Chicago, ILL,  National Sales Manager, National Education Company, Chicago, ILL, Independent Sales Representative for two National Sales Educational Companies, Owner of Classic School Products Educational Company, Mathematics Professor for a Florida College, and National Independent Mathematics Consultant 

Levels Taught: 
I have taught every grade level from elementary to graduate school (Mathematics). 

Presenter:
Speaker at local, state, national, and international math meetings. 

Books and Programs Developed: 
I have written over 50 supplementary mathematics books with the most current being: 

• ADDITION FACTS IN SEVEN DAYS,
• MULTIPLICATION FACTS IN SEVEN DAY
• GAINS- games, activities, and ideas for number sense

Plus three more to be published in the fall of 2010

• EVERYONE IS A WINNER (GR.1 -2)
• EVERYONE IS A WINNER (GR. 3 - 5)
• DEALING WITH THE DIFFICULT (MS)

Also, a program called RED MAX which is similar to the FCAT produced in 1972 which tested the red level objectives in mathematics.  Red level being the essentials in mathematics per grade level. 

Achievements, Awards, Honors & Recognitions 
Honorary Live Member Of Sigma Phi Epsilon
Honorary Member of Kappa Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honorary)
Recipient  of the Master of Communications Award from the Chicago Educational Center
The Illinois State Congress of Parents and Teachers Educational Award
Who's Who in American Education
Who's Who in U. S. Executives

Educational Impact: 
This is a difficult question to answer because one never knows the extent of one's Impact.  However, I believe that since I have conducted hundreds of workshops and seminars over the years reaching thousands of teachers that I have made a tremendous impact on the teaching of mathematics.  Furthermore, I have taught dozens of college courses to teachers and college students in the area of mathematics and believe that there has been an enormous  impact on those students and teachers.  In addition, I have to believe that my books have had a great impact on teachers to help them become better mathematics educators producing thousands of better mathematics students.

All I can say is that I hope and pray that in some small way I have helped to promote the love and appreciation for mathematical ideas and perhaps some of my students will in some way help to promote and further the knowledge and appreciation for mathematical ideas.