Pandemic changes how future teachers are trained

The pandemic is already creating lasting effects on the education of future teachers. Many educator preparation programs in Florida and around the nation are including more information about digital tools, online teaching and mental and emotional wellness in their classes. School system leaders across the U.S. are hoping to offer in-person teaching as widely as possible this year. But education experts say the increased focus on technology will improve teacher quality no matter what happens with the pandemic. [Source: VOA News ]

More than half of Florida students are now required to wear masks, defying DeSantis’ order

With the addition of school district mandate mask mandates in Orange and Indian River counties, more than half of Florida’s students are now required to wear face masks while in the classroom. Several weeks before classes resumed Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order, banning mandates and reinforcing a parent’s right to choose whether their child wears a mask in school. State officials have threatened to withhold funding equal to school board salaries if a district doesn’t comply. Those funds make up less than 1% of each district’s budget. [Source: Click Orlando]

Statewide teacher union uses data, news reports to chronicle school-related COVID deaths and more

As the second school year of COVID-19 continues, Florida’s statewide teacher union is chronicling deaths, classroom closures, the number of students and staff testing positive and other data that provides a grim yet still incomplete look at how the pandemic is impacting schools. The Florida Education Association has updated its “Safe Schools Report” for the 2021-22 school year, posting a list so far of 34 educators or other school personnel who the union designated as COVID-19 related deaths. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

Florida students can apply to learn how government works

If you are a junior or senior in high school and are interested in learning more about civics and public service, or maybe just want to understand how different layers of government work, the Youth Leadership Council is accepting applications through September. The Council is an annual initiative that was created by Rep. Lois Frankel at the request of local high school students. It gives students the opportunity to learn more about Congress and the policymaking process. Students who live in Florida’s 21st Congressional District may apply, which includes Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

USF launches national search for a new president

The University of South Florida began the process of finding a new president Tuesday as its board of trustees chose a search committee and a firm that will work to find candidates from across the nation. The board selected SP&A Executive Search to lead the effort, the same firm that recently conducted president searches for Florida State University and the University of Central Florida. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› University of Florida graduate campus could come to West Palm Beach, officials say [WPTV]
The Florida Gators could be coming to West Palm Beach. City and county officials on Tuesday announced they're in talks with University of Florida leaders to build a campus for graduate students somewhere in the city. "A UF presence in West Palm Beach is one that offers advanced professional degrees in the fields of science, engineering, and business," Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner said during a news conference.

› FSU selected as Special Olympics National Banner School [FSU News]
Florida State University has been selected as a National Banner School for 2021-2022 by the Special Olympics, the first university in Florida to achieve this recognition. Founded in the fall of 2019, the Special Olympics at FSU club promotes inclusion both at Florida State and in the community through sports training, competitions and campaigns for people with and without intellectual disabilities. The College of Education’s Department of Sport Management and special education program are leading the way in this space, thanks to efforts from the Special Olympics at FSU student organization.

› Some Duval County schools use livestream tool to help fill teacher shortage [First Coast News]
Schools are facing so many hurdles this year, the teacher shortage is just one of them. Florida Education Association says there are about 10,000 vacancies at the start of the school year. Instead of crowding classrooms, two Duval County private schools are using a virtual business to livestream teachers into the classroom. Proximity Learning currently provides 10 teachers to America’s Little Leaders Junior Academy.

› University of Miami freshman class grows by about 300 [Miami Today]
The University of Miami is welcoming one of its largest freshman classes ever for its centennial, with more than 5,000 students residing on campus. UM has enrolled about 2,700 first-year students, said President Julio Frenk in this week’s welcoming video message addressing the university community for the first day of classes, around 300 more than last year, which saw 2,402 freshmen.