Mrs. Gaye Lene Hasha, a member of the middle school faculty, was recently invited to join two honor societies–Phi Kappa Phi and Kappe Delta Pi. Mrs. Hasha is currently working on her Master’s of Education (emphasis in English Education) at the University of South Florida.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The Society’s mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” Membership in Phi Kappa Phi is earned and is by invitation only. Graduate level students must rank in the top 10% of their college.
The Honor Society of Kappa Delta Pi, is an International Honor Society in Education founded by Dr. William Bagley in 1911 at the University of Illinois. It was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. The mission of Kappa Delta Pi is to sustain an honored community of diverse educators by promoting excellence and advancing scholarship, leadership, and service. Membership is by invitation only and for a graduate level student is based on a cum GPA of 3.25 or higher, leadership, and current graduate level coursework.
Mrs. Hasha is pictured here with Dr. Arleen Mariotti, the KDP advisor.
Lakeland Christian School science resource teacher Fred Wiechmann was the recipient of a “Best Mannered Teacher” award by The National League of Junior Cotillions (NLJC), Golden Triangle Chapter. The NLJC is an etiquette and social dance training program that involves thousands of students nationwide. Mr. Wiechmann was nominated by LCS student Alex Babcock-Latta, who wrote an essay outlining his positive characteristics, how he showed courtesy and respect for students and why he is a good role model.
Lakeland Christian School is pleased to announce that three new members have been added to the LCS Board of Directors. Mrs. Kristen Bolter, Mr. David Miller and Mr. Cory Petcoff were recently elected to the board. This is the culmination of a protocol of several months that has included a thorough application, interview, and orientation process and participation in board meetings as guests for the past three months.
“We are grateful for their commitment to Christina schooling and to LCS,” said Dr. Mike Sligh, Headmaster. “I know they will appreciate your prayers as they serve in this important role.”
Click here for more information and a full list of the LCS Board of Directors.
Mrs. Jennifer Canady, a middle school science teacher and director of the RISE Institute at Lakeland Christian School has been awarded the national Masters’ and Specialists’ Award for Exceptional Contributions to Gifted and Talented Education.
Presented by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the award is given to a maximum of three individuals who have a proven record in at least four of the following criteria: teaching; writing; advocacy; curriculum development; community service in gift education; juried presentations (local, state or national); facilitating the social and emotional development of gifted and talented students; mentoring/tutoring children and adolescents; publication of papers in juried and/or non-juried publications; participation in graduate student research colloquia; and teacher in-service/parent workshop.
Although the award may be given to three individuals, Mrs. Canady was the sole winner this year.
“Mrs. Canady has an exceptionally active mind that is constantly searching for new avenues to inspire young learners to explore God’s world,” said Dr. Mike Sligh, LCS Headmaster. “Her classroom is characterized by active engagement, wonder and the invitation to think more deeply in order to continually expand the horizons of learning for her students.”
Nearly 500 years ago, Renaissance writer Francois Rabelais wrote, “A child is not a vase to be filled, but a fire to be lit.” These words have inspired Mrs. Canady’s passion to develop programs for gifted students that focus not only on academics but also on building relationships.
This award comes on the heels of the newly implemented RISE Institute at LCS. The acronym “RISE” stands for Research, Innovation, STEM Learning and Entrepreneurship. Students in this program will have the opportunity to engage in independent research, collaborate with professionals in universities, industry and medicine, and gain access to world-class scientists and their cutting-edge labs. LCS students will also benefit from emerging partnerships with professors at Florida Southern College, University of Florida, and Florida Polytechnic University.
“Through the entrepreneurship component, additional relationships can be built with the business community,” said Mrs. Canady. “Students will be empowered to take their solutions from an idea to the marketplace.”
Mr. Fred Wiechmann, a fellow science teacher and part of the RISE Institute staff, wrote a letter of recommendation for Jennifer’s award nomination.
“My letter began with ‘It takes one to know one!’” Mr. Wiechmann said. “She was in the gifted education programs when she was in school and was known as a passionate learner who excelled in her areas of giftedness. What makes her such an extraordinary teacher is that she is able to bring teaching strategies often only available to students in “gifted programs” to all students in her care.”
“Her RISE Institute is an opportunity for highly-motivated students to have the opportunity to focus on areas of high interest – I call this their ‘sweet spot’ – and develop projects which end with some product or service which can benefit others,” said Mr. Wiechmann.
As the RISE Institute program continues to develop and expand, Mrs. Canady will look for opportunities to speak and write as an advocate in the gifted education community.
“In challenging economic times, a model such as the RISE Institute at Lakeland Chrsitian School allows the full resources of entire communities to be brought to bear to meet the unique needs of gifted children,” Jennifer said. “In a day when gifted programs are radically underfunded, this model provides an alternative path for accessing the high-tech laboratories and intellectual capital of today’s most innovative problem solvers. I hope that my work inspires others who care deeply about finding creative ways to meet the needs of gifted learners.”
Jennifer has taught at Lakeland Christian School since 2006. She is married to Charles Canady, current member and former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court. They have two daughters: Julia and Anna.
Jennifer will travel to Denver, Colorado, in mid-November to accept the award at the NAGC Annual Convention.
Lakeland Christian School secondary computer teacher Barb Moore was the recipient of a “Best Mannered Teacher” award by The National League of Junior Cotillions (NLJC), Golden Triangle Chapter. The NLJC is an etiquette and social dance training program that involves thousands of students nationwide. Mrs. Moore was nominated by LCS student Alex Babcock-Latta, who wrote an essay outlining her positive characteristics, how she showed courtesy and respect for students and why she is a good role model.
LCS is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Julie Rice as the school’s first Director of Enrollment. This position will provide overall direction to the enrollment building efforts of LCS and will facilitate a seamless admissions process for new families. Her new responsibilities will include all activities associated with enrollment and re-enrollment, working with the advancement office in marketing the school, and the coordination and oversight of the admissions office. Maintaining and growing the enrollment of LCS will enable the school to broaden the school’s influence by providing “Education in the Light of God’s Word” to more and more families.
Mrs. Rice is a graduate of Florida State University. She joined the LCS faculty in 2003 and has served as Director of Community Relations since 2008. She and her husband, Tim are the parents of one LCS alum and three current LCS students.