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Charlotte County Public Schools

Living Within Our Values Award

District Values

  • We are committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to meet the needs of all students.

  • We build community partnerships to enhance learning for all students.

  • We empower students to reach their full potential.

  • We practice being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.

  • We encourage creative thinking, adaptability, and the use of cutting-edge educational practices.

  • We will be resilient so we can succeed no matter what challenges we face.

  • Our schools must be a safe and secure place for all.

  • We are committed to transparent communication to strengthen our community.

Living Within Our Values Award

A group of teachers and staff stand together in a classroom, smiling for a photo.

Christine Ohara, Math Coach at East Elementary School possesses a remarkable array of strengths that significantly benefit our entire school. She exemplifies compassion in her interactions with both students and teachers, fostering a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Furthermore, Christine actively collaborates not only with educators within our school but also across the district, fostering a strong network of support and shared learning.

However, Christine's most prominent quality is her unwavering commitment to empowering teachers. As a coach, she inspires and guides educators to continuously enhance their instructional practices. This empowering approach has a direct and positive impact on our school's overall academic growth.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Christine demonstrates unwavering dedication to our school community. She consistently attends school events, both during and after school hours, and actively participates in community initiatives. Her commitment to our students extends beyond the classroom, as she generously dedicates her time to tutoring students both before and after school.

As a school leader, Ms. Ohara is an integral and invaluable member of the instructional core team. She consistently demonstrates integrity in all her actions and serves as an exemplary role model for all educators.

East Elementary is truly grateful for Christine's dedication, expertise, and unwavering support. She is a valuable asset to East Elementary, and her contributions have significantly enriched our school community.

Nominated by: Melissa White

District Values:

  • Empowerment
  • Community
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Integrity
  • Resilience
  • Innovation
  • Safety 
  • May be an image of 11 people

    Allison Harris, Food Service Manager at Kingsway Elementary , has proven herself not only to be a great person but a great asset to our team and our community. Like most of us on October 9th, she hunkered down to wait out Hurricane Milton. Allison had been doing so at Kingsway Elementary, one of our local shelters. This shelter just so happened to be the school that she worked at. Allison was not alone at this shelter. She had her 5 children with her while her husband stayed home to watch over the house and pets. Seeing that many of the shelter residents were hungry, Danielle Hudzina, inquired about getting them fed. Allison was called upon to provide food to the nearly 1700 storm shelter residents. She never hesitated when asked to step up and feed this population of scared and hungry guests. She took this opportunity and turned it into a teachable moment for her young children. Showing them what it means to be part of a community and helping the less fortunate. She collaborated with the EOC and many other volunteers to fix and serve grilled cheese sandwiches, fruits, and milk, and she did it with a smile on her face while side by side with her kids. Allison is a very bubbly and outgoing person who makes others smile when they need it most. I strive each and every day to be more like her. The community and the world are a better place with Allison in it.

    Nominated by: Bill Seibert

  • A group of teachers stand together in a classroom, smiling and holding a certificate and flowers.

    Nominated by Ashley Daley
     
    Melissa Slicker is a shining example of all CCPS core values. She is exceptionally skilled in collaborating and communicating with her colleagues and students. Melissa is always the first to share any new ideas she comes across and any new platforms she learns about, and she is always prepared to assist anyone in learning and applying that new material. If Melissa doesn’t know an answer, which is rare, she will find the answer for you! In between her many roles and responsibilities, such as Senior Class Sponsor and PPC Co-Chair, she recently kickstarted a new initiative at LBHS, “What’s good with Lemon Bay?,” a weekly email chain which LBHS staff can reply-all to with good news and updates on our school, classrooms, and students. It has fostered a sense of community and pride, bolstering the already strong sense of positivity at Lemon Bay. Melissa is a skilled English teacher whose communication and collaboration is central to the success of not only her classroom or her department, but the success of the school as a whole.

  • A group of people stand together in a professional setting, smiling for a photo.

    Nominated by Ryan Handy - Construction Specialist at Construction Department

    Over the entire time I have worked in the Maintenance and in the Construction Department, I have noticed Mr. Billy Williams go above and beyond to make everyone feel like they have the ability to grow.  Mr. Williams on numerous occasions put me in a better position to succeed and make tough decisions. He backed me no matter what the outcome was.  Mr. Williams encouraged me to grow as a staff member, inspiring me to become a Facilities Specialist, taking a supervisory role within the Maintenance Dept., then asking them to offer me another more challenging, tougher role as a Construction Specialist on the hurricane recovery side.  Mr. Williams additionally has recommended that I prepare myself for the next step as construction manager in the coming months.  I am not the only person with this story.  I have witnessed Mr. Williams do the same for many other staff. He believes whatever the case may be, it's always for the betterment of the children.

  • A group of educators stand in a school hallway, one holding a certificate of recognition.

    Nominated by Assistant Principal Michael Henry of Lemon Bay High School

    Mr. Hoffman often connects our community and ties it to the classroom. For example, a community member reached out to Mr. Hoffman, asking if the school would be able to prepare over 2,000 strawberries for their upcoming community event. Mr. Hoffman organized his ServSafe-certified students and incorporated this project into a lesson. This was a great way for our students to practice and improve their culinary skills while helping our community. He has participated in community cook-offs where he has the students prep and organize for events that serve well over 200 people and produce products. Mr. Hoffman consistently goes above and beyond to bridge the gap between our school and the community, fostering a strong sense of partnership. His dedication to incorporating real-world projects like strawberry preparation and community cook-offs not only enhances our students' practical skills but also instills in them a deep sense of civic responsibility. Under his guidance, students not only learn culinary techniques but also develop invaluable teamwork and leadership skills, preparing them for success beyond the classroom. The success of events organized by Mr. Hoffman, such as the community cook-offs, showcases his exceptional ability to inspire and mobilize both students and community members toward a shared goal. His commitment to providing students with hands-on, meaningful experiences demonstrates his unwavering passion for education and community engagement.

  • Five individuals stand in a school hallway, smiling for a photo. One person holds a certificate.

    Nominated by Kaitlyn Chavarria (Language Arts teacher at CHS)
     
     We are excited to announce the recipient of our May "Living Within Our Values" award: Mrs. Summer Nicklas! 
    "Mrs. Nicklas, a veteran teacher of CCPS, championed a new initiative called Tarpons for our Troops, providing care packages for Tarpon Alumni soldiers currently deployed overseas in our nation's military. Parents rallied behind the cause, offering logistical support and encouragement. School staff provided organizational assistance, ensuring smooth execution. Students inspired by their teacher's passion mobilized to collect supplies and letters. Local businesses contributed resources and support. Tarpon Alumni enthusiastically joined in, strengthening the bond between past and present students. Through one teacher's vision, this initiative united the school community and reinforced the enduring legacy of Tarpon Alumni.”