We are excited to share Davidson Middle School's recent collaboration with Crestview High School, where students had the chance during their PE classes to practice chest compressions under the supervision of MAC members and our amazing PE coaches. This partnership helps equip students with life-saving skills and reinforces the importance of health education in our schools. 🐾
Recently we proudly celebrated four exceptional administrators who have gone above and beyond for their schools and our district. Each year, we recognize one Elementary Principal and one Secondary Principal as the Okaloosa County School District Principals of the Year.
This year’s honorees are:
• Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year: Elizabeth Richards from Baker School
• Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year: Amy Morgan from Lewis School
• Elementary Principal of the Year: Mandy Lopez from Walker Elementary
• Secondary Principal of the Year: Heather Graham-Williams from Bruner Middle
These remarkable leaders have made a lasting impact on their students, staff, and communities. Their vision and dedication help shape the future of education in Okaloosa County.
Congratulations and thank you for your commitment to excellence and for inspiring all of us every day.
It’s almost time to celebrate the season! The Okaloosa County School District will be closed for Winter Break from December 22 – January 2.
➮ Schools & District Offices reopen: Monday, January 5
➮ Students return: Wednesday, January 7
Wishing you joy, peace, and a wonderful holiday season!
𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝!
We’re thrilled to share the incredible news—our top three Teacher of the Year finalists have been revealed! Monday, we had the honor of surprising these outstanding educators who represent the very best of Okaloosa County Schools.
This year’s finalists are (in no particular order):
☆ Kim Moran, Art Teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School
☆ Sarah Theres, Music Teacher at Florosa Elementary School
☆ Kimberly Day-Scanlon, CBS Teacher at Kenwood Elementary School
Each of these teachers inspire students every day through creativity, passion, and dedication. Choosing just one winner will be tough!
A huge thank you to School Board Chair Linda Evanchyk, Michael Dingess, Jordan Appelberg, and Kyla Scelzi from OCEA, Dr. Lee Hale, Assistant Superintendent of HR, and the principals who helped make these surprise visits unforgettable.
Stay tuned—we’ll announce the winner soon at our Annual Teacher of the Year Banquet in January!
We’ve got three short weeks until the end of the first semester and the start of Winter Break—let’s make them count!
On Friday, December 19, most schools will dismiss slightly earlier than usual. Check out the adjusted times so you can plan ahead!
Let’s take a moment to thank the bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, cafeteria staff, office assistants, and so many more who make learning possible every single day!
Halloween came alive in Karmen Broaddus’s classroom at Ruckel Middle School with a spine-tingling twist on math! Students dove into a neon-themed learning experience, fishing for math problems hidden in a mix of “brains,” “guts,” and “maggots”—all part of a creepy, creative setup designed to make learning unforgettable.
Surrounded by ooey gooey props and spooky vibes, students tackled math challenges with excitement and engagement. It was the perfect blend of seasonal fun and academic rigor!
Chef Tingle, with 11 years of teaching experience, has transformed the culinary program at Crestview High School (CHS) into a vibrant hub of creativity and skill-building. A Georgia native, he grew up in Atlanta’s suburbs with a passion for food but little kitchen expertise. After high school, he moved to Statesboro, GA, working in restaurants while earning a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Georgia Southern University. His culinary career soared as he rose from line cook to Executive Chef in seven years, working at prestigious venues like Marriott’s Grand Hotel, The Country Club of Mobile, The Walden Club, and The Cliffs at Glassy Golf and Country Club. He later earned an A.A. in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of the Carolinas, where he discovered his love for teaching.
Since joining CHS in 2014 after relocating to Florida with his wife, Chef Tingle has elevated the culinary program with industry-standard upgrades, replacing 75% of outdated kitchen and café equipment with stainless steel, funded by over 500 students earning ServSafe certifications. His summer breaks have been crucial for these renovations. He finds immense joy in watching students master meal preparation and express creativity, helping them earn industry credentials. “Seeing students’ confidence grow as they create something delicious is the most rewarding part of my job,” he says. Chef Tingle’s hands-on, real-world-focused teaching fosters a passion for culinary arts. He also builds community by sharing treats with school staff, a nod to his high school days.
CTE Spotlight: Artificial Intelligence
Mrs. Sarah Wilson, an inspiring technology teacher at Pryor Middle School in Okaloosa County, brings 18 years of teaching experience and a degree from Florida State University to her classroom. Since joining the district in 2014, she has been a driving force in STEM education, preparing students for a digital world. At Pryor since 2020, she teaches Introduction to Technology, Exploring Technology, Social Media, and AI/Python Programming, fostering essential skills in coding, digital citizenship, communication, and critical thinking. Her engaging curriculum empowers students to navigate and shape the evolving tech landscape.
Before Pryor, Mrs. Wilson spent six years at the STEMM Academy, teaching Physical Science Honors, Civil Engineering, 3D Design & Printing, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, and Music Technology. Her hands-on projects, from designing prototypes to creating digital compositions, seamlessly blend creativity with technical expertise, inspiring students to think innovatively. Earlier in her career, she taught science at a Tampa performing arts magnet school, where she developed her inquiry-based teaching approach, emphasizing student-driven exploration.
As a certified Python Coding Specialist and Clinical Educator, Mrs. Wilson guides students to achieve some of the district’s highest passing rates on Python Coding Apprentice and Python Coding Specialist exams, earning them industry-recognized credentials. She also mentors new teachers, fostering professional growth within her school community. Her teaching philosophy centers on sparking curiosity and confidence, encouraging students to see technology as a tool for positive change. A proud Floridian, she lives with her husband, Mike, a band director at Lewis School, and their daughters, Madison (7) and Natalie (3), sharing a deep commitment to education and community.
OCSD Family—be sure to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, November 2. We “fall back” at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 3. Enjoy the extra hour of rest, and we’ll see everyone bright and early on Monday!
Many services remain accessible by bypassing the app and logging in directly through a web browser. We encourage users to try this method as a temporary workaround.
Focus link: https://okaloosa.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/index.php
Our team is actively monitoring the situation and awaiting updates from AWS. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this inconvenience together.
Six-year-old Kal-El, a first grader at Laurel Hill School, was recently honored for his courageous and quick actions that saved his 3-year-old friend Sebastian’s life at a pool party by pulling him from the water, alerting adults, and helping ensure he received CPR.
Kal-El received a certificate of recognition, a themed wristband, and the Superintendent’s Coin, embodying this year’s message to “Be Courageous Everyday, Lead Through the Challenge,” and serving as a heroic example for all students in the district.
#OCSDProud #StudentHero #BeCourageousEveryday #LaurelHillSchool
On the first day, Coach Martin introduced students to the basics of fishing and hunting. He demonstrated different types of student-made fishing lures, casting techniques, and how to properly tie a fishing hook.
The learning continued on the second day with a special visit from Officer William Oliver of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Together, Officer Oliver and Coach Martin provided students with important information on boater safety.
This hands-on collaboration gave students a unique opportunity to explore outdoor skills and safety practices while building excitement for future learning opportunities offered at Crestview High School.
See more pictures at https://www.facebook.com/OkaloosaCountySchoolDistrict.
We’re celebrating the power of nutritious meals and the incredible impact they have on student success. From fresh ingredients to smiling faces in the cafeteria — school lunch fuels learning every day!
#NSLW #SchoolLunchMatters #FuelingSuccess
At Okaloosa County School District, the safety of our students, staff, and campuses is our top priority. One of the tools our employees can use to support emergency response is a mobile app called SaferWatch, part of Florida’s Alyssa’s Alert initiative.
What is SaferWatch?
SaferWatch is a mobile panic alert system that connects directly with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and local 911 services. It allows employees to quickly report emergencies while on school property, helping law enforcement respond faster and more effectively.
Key Points for Families to Know:
- Only for Real Emergencies: The panic alert feature is used only in true emergencies and immediately notifies law enforcement.
- Optional but Encouraged: Employees are encouraged to install the app on their personal devices, but it’s not required. - On-Campus Use Only: The app only works while the user is physically on district property.
- Does Not Replace 911: In some cases, calling 911 may still be the best first step. SaferWatch simply enhances communication and response.
Why It Matters:
By using SaferWatch, our staff can help ensure a faster, more coordinated response in emergency situations—keeping students and schools safer.
