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Around Town Updates on Community, Education, Workforce & Government
Not as well known, perhaps, is the fact that
our struggling students receive the most
intense and focused interventions that we
can devise to get them on grade level. Our
teachers and staff work very hard to be sure
that all students have a chance to achieve
their full potential.
Body
In Bay District Schools, we care about the
health and wellness of all students. From
offering healthier foods in the cafeterias to
ensuring that our elementary school kids
participate in physical education, the principle
of a sound mind in a sound body still
informs our work. As well, our schools
offer athletic opportunities that would astound
the ancient Greeks. While Socrates
would feel at home at a wrestling match
or track meet, trying to imagine what he
would make of a basketball game or a high
school dance line brings a smile to my
face. Gee, what would he say when he
discovered that we even let women play in
modern times?
Spirit
If you have ever seen a line of students
waiting to give blood or a group of kids
working at Special Olympics, you know
that spiritual education is alive and well in
our schools. The values that we all share—
generosity, honesty, kindness, etc.—are affirmed
daily in formal and informal ways.
Positive behaviors are encouraged and
rewarded. You can see these behaviors at
work as students make posters to eliminate
bullying or raise funds for the American
Heart Society or tutor their classmates.
Each month I get to honor some of our
most outstanding students by recognizing
the Superintendent’s Student of the Month.
Without fail, these students exemplify values
that we would all do well to emulate.
This column leads with a quote from one
of my favorite characters, Gandalf, in
The Fellowship of the Ring. In a summer
filled with both tragedy and triumph,
I learned, once again, that our time here
is limited. All of us who educate young
people share their gold medal moments
every day. What a wonderful way to use
our time!
Our Skyline is Changing.
Our Commitment Isn’t.
Dr. Jim Kerley, President
Gulf Coast State College
For 55 years, Gulf
Coast State College
has been committed
to the highest
quality training and
education that turns
students into employed
graduates.
The result is an unmistakable
and unwavering
impact on
the economic climate of our region and the
lives of those we touch.
Our faculty and programs of study have always
been challenging and rigorous, whether a student
was transferring to a four-year university
or directly entering the workforce. Growing
workforce demands in Florida require that
we have the ability, flexibility and willingness
to respond quickly to business, industry and
community needs. Striking evidence of this
part of our mission is our Advanced Technology
Center (ATC) that will open next June.
The three stories you see under construction
are integral to the transformative work that
will take place within, where innovative partnerships
across business, industry, government
and education will provide clear pathways to
high-paying jobs.
We’re also very excited to announce that
on September 11 we will hold our toppingout
ceremony as the construction reaches a
significant milestone. This LEED-certified,
80,000 square foot facility is the embodiment
of the American entrepreneurial spirit,
dedicated to meeting regional employment
needs in alternative energy, green building,
information technology, digital media,
civil engineering, emerging technologies and
more. Our focus is on educating and training
students to leave Gulf Coast with the skills
necessary to succeed.
The state of Florida will need to fill more
than 33,000 Science, Math, Engineering and
Technology (STEM) jobs by 2018, and employers
continue to struggle to find qualified
workers because of a “skills gap.” The need
is there, so that’s where we come in. Career
pathways in STEM and Career and Technical
Education (CTE) serve to meet those
employers’ needs, and these pathways begin
with our industry-recognized certificates and
programs that close that skills gap with focused,
applicable, productive training.
Our ATC will also offer a brighter future for
the students in our community not typically
expected to attend college at all, and it will
only help us add the kinds of programs that
tomorrow’s workforce needs. As the ATC
nears completion, we’re already planning for
a new STEM Education Center with a focus
on science and math. It only makes sense
in today’s environment. Growth of jobs demanding
one to two-year technical degrees
and industry-recognized certificates are outpacing
the growth of those requiring traditional
bachelor’s degrees and higher.
We’re also honored that Gov. Rick Scott
recognizes Gulf Coast’s continuing commitment
to our region as we embrace our place
on its economic and educational horizon.
We’re building a tech-savvy future, one student
at a time.
Record Breaking Summer
Susan Estler, Vice President Marketing
Panama City Beach CVB
With another recordbreaking
summer
season coming to
an end, the Panama
City Beach CVB
is looking forward
to welcoming Fall
and Winter visitors
to our community.
In order to continue
the vibrant buzz
that can be felt in the destination all summer
long, our team has been working to offer
events that will keep visitors active in our
parks, beaches and other outdoor spaces in
the months to come.
One highlight of our efforts will be the inaugural
The Biggest Loser Half Marathon and
5K Runwalk on December 30. The CVB
has partnered with Dan and Jackie Evans,
Continued on Page 82
80 THE CIRCUIT September/October 2012