Local educators recognized for promoting literacy

Several local educators have been recognized for their contributions to literacy in the schools.

Okaloosa County was recognized in three categories and Santa Rosa County in one for their efforts, according to a news release from Just Read, Florida!

The Florida Department of Education organization was formed in 2001 as part of a movement to increase reading proficiency among students.

In Okaloosa County, Guyla Hendricks, chief officer of quality assurance and curriculum support, was one of two people selected statewide as District Literacy Leader of the Year. Annette Klabuhn, who teaches at Choctawhatchee High School, was recognized as the High School Reading Teacher of the Year; and seven educators at Crestview High School were chosen as the High School Reading Leadership Team of the Year.

“Sometimes people we know are the best don’t always get honored, but in this case, they did,” said Superintendent of Schools Alexis Tibbetts.

Tibbetts said parents should be pleased that so many educators were recognized for this honor.

“In education, period, I think literacy is the key to everything,” Tibbetts said. “If you can read and write well, you can be a successful citizen.”

In Santa Rosa County, Holley-Navarre Middle School Principal Joie DeStefano, was selected Middle School Literacy Leader of the Year.

“She just really exemplifies what we do in Santa Rosa County,” said Conni Carnley, the district’s director of middle schools.

The winners were selected from submissions received from across the state. Nominees had to fill out applications, receive letters of recommendation and have a phone interview with officials from Just Read, Florida!, Carnley said.

“It’s a stiff competition,” she said.

In all, 15 awards were given out. The only school districts other than Okaloosa to receive multiple awards were Orange County, which had three, and Seminole County, which had two.