Dr. Alexandra M. Penn 704 East 6th Avenue Tallahassee, FL 32303 goldenpair@earthlink.

net (850) 321-3590 Duval County Public Schools McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.c. Executive Recruitment and Development 7905 L St., Suite 310 Omaha, Nebraska 68127 July 23, 2012 To Whom It May Concern: Please allow this letter and accompanying resume and application represent my intent to apply for the position of
Superintendent of Duval County Schools. It is with great enthusiasm that I request your consideration of my application.

As you review my resume please notice that most of my work experience has centered on optimizing learning opportunities for children, youth and young adults. Having served in a variety of positions and environments including public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, consulting and research organizations and local and state government; I have sought to build support for organizational improvement through strategic planning, the use of data, shared decision-making and strong leadership. My unique doctoral studies allowed me to take courses in both the School of Education and the School of Business, thus giving me an academic background in "Management of Educational Programs." This prepared me for both the academic and management side of starting schools, businesses and most importantly managing resources. Please note in my experiences outlined below, that I have had numerous opportunities to apply my formal management training in such areas as Six Sigma and the DMAIC process of problem-solving; Strategic Planning and Facilitative Leadership. Over the years, I have been privileged to work with highly energetic and innovative leadership teams at the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), Brevard Community College, Brevard County Schools and businesses that I have owned and operated. Together we were instrumental in the implementation of numerous efforts to develop data collection and reporting systems in which, for example, individual student data could be tracked longitudinally to determine precise year to year learning gains as well as post secondary school achievement and employment. The results were increased student achievement; increased graduation rates; and a significant narrowing of the achievement gap for minority students. It has been professionally rewarding to see such progress and personally inspiring to be part of such exciting educational improvements. Please note a few professional experiences, which I believe demonstrate position of Superintendent of Duval County Schools: 1. the skills and talents required for the

Most recently, I have focused my consulting business, GoldenPair & Company, on looking at ways to improve outcomes for at-risk high school students by: Analyzing and making recommendations for alternative systems of curriculum, instruction and assessment Developing Standard Operating Procedures for Alternative Public Charter Schools Assisting in the design and implementation of web-based Student Information Systems that provide principals and teachers with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions about instruction Creating a "Data-Driven Culture" in Alternative Public Charter Schools

2.

As Florida's Adult Education Director, staff and I:

Re-engineered internal controls and processes for the GED testing office Upgraded MIS systems for the GED testing and Migrant Farm Workers Programs Improved tools and methods to track adult learning gains, postsecondary enrollment and completion, and employment outcomes Developed and implemented the strategic plan for a state-wide adult education professional development system Significantly raised adult education outcomes as measured by the National Reporting System and met for the first time in over eight years federally negotiated targets

3.

As the Florida Department of Education Executive Director of Independent Education and Parental Choice, my colleagues and I increased excellence and accountability of Florida's School Choice programs by: Raising student achievement scores through the identification, collection and analysis of data trends leading to necessary curricular and program changes Increasing efficiency and productivity through strategic planning Assisting principals with staff development and clinical supervision policies, processes and action plans Assisting instructional leaders align and integrate curriculum (horizontally and vertically) with Florida Sunshine State Standards Assisting principals develop methods for school-level accountability and measurement Increasing state-wide school choice accountability by providing a system for analyzing and synthesizing Charter School Applications and Renewal Appeals for Florida Department of Education and Board of Education Designing and performing longitudinal student achievement studies for schools of choice state-wide, specifically for those with critically low performing students

4.

As Vice Chair for the Brevard Community College Board of Trustees, my fellow board members and I: Enacted a plan to increase accountability through good data collection and analysis resulting in improved student achievement Developed policies for professional development Enacted a plan to move the college toward a Policy Governance Model in which policies were simplified and separated from procedures (rules), in order to improve their clarity and accountability Increased customer satisfaction by providing leadership to the college president for down-sizing or closing programs which were not serving the customers, and for expanding or creating new programs which supported the community's educational and economic needs Instituted an Office for Institutional Accountability, Research, and Measurement which became a model for other Florida Community Colleges

5.

As founder and director of a career academy (one of the first in Florida), staff and I designed and implemented: The "Virtual Learning Model," a curriculum and instructional methodology (penn, A. & Williams, D.; Integrating Academic and Vocational Education: A Secondary School Model. ASCD, 1996) A state-wide training program for educators wishing to replicate the model Tools and methods for measurement and accountability

Alexandra M. Penn, Ed.D, Letter of Application, Superintendent of Duval County Schools

As I look back on these experiences and achievements, I am cognizant of the fact that there is still much more work to be done. As long as there is one student who cannot read or do math at grade-level, one young adult who has not been able to earn a high school diploma, one student with a disability who has not achieved her self-determined potential, one parent who has not found the best school choice for his child, one teacher who does not have the tools she needs to be the best teacher she can be, or one principal who does not feel empowered to do what he knows is right for his school; I will not stop trying to level the educational playing for field for ALL students and the professionals who serve them. My work experiences within the educational arena have been diverse, but the single unifying mission of my work has always been to raise the quality of education for ALL children for ALL children can learn. I would consider it an honor and a privilege to continue this, my life's work and mission, in Duval County where I believe I can partner with board members, district staff, school leaders, teachers, parents and students to meet the great challenges and opportunities of a future in which ALL children are served equitably in order to achieve their highest personal potential. Sincerely,

Alexandra M. Penn, EdD.

Alexandra M. Penn, Ed.D, Letter of Application, Superintendent of Duval County Schools

Duval County Public Schools

Application Information Form

Jacksonville,

Florida

Position: Superintendent

Title: Name:

X Dr.

OMr.

OMs.
th

o Mrs.

o (other-please
Telephone Office: Home: Cell:

list)

Alexandra Penn 704 East 6 Ave. Tallahassee, FL 32303

Home Address:

(850) 321-3590 (850) 222-6268 (850) 321-3590 goldenpair@earthlink.net

Zip Code:

32303

E-mail:

Record of Professional Institution Nova University

Education (in reverse chronology) Graduation Date 1992 1977 1975 Major Mgmt of Ed Prgms Special Education Psychology Degree Doctorate of Ed Masters in Ed Bachelors of Art

Hunter College of the CUNY Hunter College of the CUNY

Record of Professional Title Consultant Director Adult Education

Director

Experience (in reverse chronology) District to to

to

Dates 2009 2007

2005

State Florida Florida

Florida

Enrollment N/A 350,000

342,000

Prsnt. 2009
2007

Dept. of Ed Dept. of Ed
Dept. of Ed

Interagency Programs Exec. Dir. Choice Programs Consultant Principal 2003 2000 1998 to to to 2005 2003 2000 Dept. of Ed Brevard Brevard Florida Florida Florida 400,000 N/A 300

The School Board has identified the following qualities for the superintendent

of schools.

Please respond to each of the qualities stressing your experience, strengths, and abilities in each area, limiting your responses to between 200 and 300 words for each item. 1. A leader who solicits, respects and values the input of stakeholders at all levels of the organization and who has demonstrated leadership in utilizing that input to create and sustain a culture of shared decision-making. Creating and sustaining a culture of shared decision-making is indeed paramount to leadership. Top down management is not effective and rarely leads to sustained organizational improvement. A demonstrated example of my strong belief and ability in building shared decision-making is as follows: Example: While serving as Special Advisor to the Florida Commissioner of Education, lied an investigation to improve services for Florida's Homebound Students. The issue, as identified by the Commissioner, was that critically and chronically ill students were not sufficiently served academically while in hospital and/or at home. In order to determine the degree and causes of this issue as well as to recommend solutions, I led a team of professionals to examine the problem by soliciting input from the stakeholders who had firsthand understanding of the programs. We focused on three major stakeholder groups: patients and their families; hospitals/healthcare professionals; and school districts and their schools. The three methods for gathering input were: site visits to hospital programs; phone interviews in which standard survey questions were asked; and implementation of three regional focus group meetings which included family members, educators and hospital personnel.

The results of this investigation pointed to clear recommendations from stakeholders upon which we could safely act. We had clear consensus about what did and did not work; we also had overwhelming agreement on "best practices." Because we solicited, respected and valued the stakeholders; we were able to create and sustain a culture of shared-decisionmaking. I am happy and proud to say, the winners of this state-wide effort were the critically and chronically ill students of Florida.

Duval County PubliC Schools, Jacksonvllle, FL

Closing date July 23,2012

2. A leader who supports and empowers principals, teachers and staff to improve organizational and student performance outcomes. Teaching and learning must be central to educational organizations, just as customer satisfaction and profit is central to business and industry. Like successful businesses that create decentralized, profit-centers to improve the organization and increase the bottom line; successful learning communities must have schools with the autonomy and tools to improve teaching and learning. That is principals, teachers, and staff must be empowered to improve organizational and student performance. This does not happen overnight by policy and/or permission. It happens by making strategic, systemic changes; offering professional development; and giving the school-community tools for measuring and analyzing performance. I was very fortunate to serve at the forefront of school reform in Florida during a time in which I was able to drive policies and practices to empower principals, teachers and staff to improve organizational and student performance outcomes. The following are examples of my efforts in these school reform strategies. Examples: a) Public Career Academies - Brevard County teachers and I started one of the first Career Academies in Florida. Under my direction, this Academy for high school students interested in studying and working in the area of Aerospace Technology, was a model for Academies around the nation. A unique aspect of this school-within-a-school was the empowerment of its instructional and non-instructional staff to develop curricula, schedules, assessments and disciplinary consequences. As a team, we developed partnerships with local aerospace businesses and garnered financial support through grants and contributions. b) Public Charter Schools - This experiment in empowering school leaders and their staff to do what they believe is right for students and then holding them accountable for the results, has been one of my chief efforts in school reform strategies. From helping to start one of the first charter schools in Florida, to being the Department of Education's first Executive Director of the Office for Independent Education and Parental Choice; I have looked for new and innovative ways to help teachers teach and students learning. c) Public Alternative Schools - There are far too many of Florida's students who are unable to graduate with a standard diploma. Most of these are students for whom the system has not been equitable. Unfortunately, they may drop out or be at risk of dropping out in high school. My experiences as a school choice consultant have offered me the opportunity to work with school principals and their staff, helping them to think outside of the box in order to give at-risk youth a second chance at obtaining a high school diploma. These are just a few of the strategies which lend themselves to the empowerment of principals, teachers, and school staff. There are many, many more which can be employed within school districts. The important thing to remember is that there are no one-size-fits all in education. In their zealousness for change, there are those who would throw out the baby with the bath water and exchange one dogma for another. My belief and method of achieving organizational change has been to empower the individuals who work directly with the students and their families - principals, teachers and school staff by giving them the tools they need for success.

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL

Closing date July 23,2012

3. A proactive visionary, able to consider, plan and implement systemic change that increase the district's ability to recognize and respond to current and future challenges as they arise. During my tenure as State Director of Adult Education and Family Literacy, I had the opportunity to effect several major systemic changes. One example of systemic change was in the area of Adult Education State Leadership Grants. Example: Historically, Leadership dollars are used to supplement unstaffed state Adult Education and Family Literacy efforts in the field. However, what I found was that these resources were not tied to student performance but to process deliverables such as trainings, technical assistance papers, course standards, curriculum, etc. There were no incentives for districts to improve student learning, yet the state was being evaluated by the US DOE by means of adult student learning gains as measured by the TABE and other adult achievement tests. In addition, school districts received Adult Education grant dollars regardless of the numbers of students served or the progress they made. In FY 2007-2008 over one-half of Leadership dollars were spent on administrative tasks, leaving less than half of the total budget to address leadership services which could impact student achievement. It was apparent, therefore, that we needed to align our grant resources with strategic initiatives for increased adult learner outcomes, such as: Improved learning gains as measured by LCPs (Educational Function Level) Improved secondary school completion as measured by high school diplomas or their equivalent as measured by GED data and WDIS Improved postsecondary enrollment as measured by FETPIP Improved employment as measured by FETPIP After gathering input from key district stakeholders and state leadership staff, we agreed on a number of actions to increase targeted spending and accountability. The implementation of these strategies resulted in the State spending far less on administrative costs and more on leadership services which could impact student achievement. As a result of tying student performance to grant dollars, we significantly raised adult education outcomes as measured by the National Reporting System and met, for the first time in over eight years, federally negotiated targets. In addition, we eliminated grant-reporting redundancies, saving districts hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL

Closing date July 23,2012

4. Someone with strong organizational and leadership skills, able to collaboratively align and focus internal and external stakeholders' efforts to accelerate progress on achieving the district's goals for student and organizational performance. As Executive Director of the Office of Interagency Programs for the Department of Education, I was charged with mitigating gaps in, and misalignments of, inter- and intraagency services for persons with disabilities. The challenge was to listen to the "transition" issues of external stakeholders (persons with disabilities and their families) as well as to understand the day-to-day realities of the internal stakeholders (the agency and district staff). Example: In order to collaboratively align and focus internal and external stakeholders' efforts such that "transitions" for students/persons with disabilities were seamless and productive, I spearheaded the formation of a legislative committee to: Identify the roles and responsibilities of each agency with regard to the committee goals. Develop collaborative relationships to identify and assist in removing federal and state barriers to achieving the goals. Identify common or comparable performance measures for all agencies that serve youth and young adults with disabilities. Design a mechanism to annually assess the progress toward the goals by each agency. Collect and disseminate information on research-based practices of state and local agencies on successful strategies. Develop strategies to educate public and private employers on the benefit of hiring persons with disabilities. Develop strategies to encourage and provide incentives for public and private employers to hire persons with disabilities. Recommend a statewide system of accountability which would include incentives for persons with disabilities; service providers, including school districts, technical centers, and community colleges; and businesses and industries providing integrated competitive employment to individuals with disabilities.

Because this effort involved many agencies and touched the lives of nearly every student and/or person with a disability in Florida; the process was arduous and included the efforts of a third party consulting company which assisted with Resource Mapping and Strategic Planning. The results were enlightening to the internal stakeholders, who were able to see the need for systemic changes in their agencies. The systemic changes, once implemented, produced improved services to Florida's students/persons with disabilities and their families the external stakeholders.

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL

Closing date July 23,2012

5. A person of integrity who is trustworthy and whose relationships, with the board and across the district, are predicated on honest and open communications. I had the good fortune to be raised in a family which modeled honesty and integrity. My father, a successful business man, taught me the value of keeping my word whatever the consequences. My mother, a stay-at-home-mom, instilled in me the importance of open, authentic communication and insisted that my "yes" be yes and my "no" be no. That is "do what you say and say what you do." As a result, I have led my businesses; administered my departments; managed my schools and parented my children by the "Golden Rule." Perhaps the greatest test of my integrity was during my tenure on the Brevard Community College Board of Trustees. Example: As a Community College Trustee, I took an oath to uphold the mission of the College as well as to obey the Sunshine and Ethics laws of the State of Florida. I learned what it meant, despite my personal views, to uphold the vote of the Board and speak with one clear voice. I also learned about the importance of governing by policy and staying out of the way of the President who was responsible for leading College operations. My Trustee responsibilities were not only to the College staff but also to its students and their families. Therefore, it was important for me to maintain open and honest communication with both internal and external stakeholders, while being mindful of my role as part of a governing body, not an administrative one. There were times during my tenure of six years, that it would have been easy to put personal gain and recognition above the mission of the College; however, I never did; for to do so would have brought disgrace to my family, my fellow board members, and to the Governor who appointed me. There were also instances when I was under great political pressure to vote in one way, while my conscience and sense of duty explicitly told me to vote another. My belief in what was right for the organization - the College Community - always superseded political expediency, as I upheld the courage of my convictions.

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL

Closing date July 23,2012

Do you have a Superintendent Endorsement for the state represented by the position listed on this Application Information Form?
(If you have questions regarding the requirements to be a superintendent in the State of Florida, contact the Florida Department of Education)

Yes

I ce~ ~) (initials)

that the information

provided herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

Iam aware that the Florida Sunshine Act will require that aI/ applicant information is public and can be released to the media upon request

Applicant hereby waives his/her right to confidentiality with regard to his/her work record or criminal record and consents to and authorizes the release of information from current or former employers and/or law enforcement personnel upon inquiry under this application.

Signature of Applicant: :;,:U<t:"ttNc f Printed name of Applicant:

(~~

L.,1~ f/, 3
v\ vl

1\/ ~KCl rld ax ti! . -'i>",

Date:

0 f d-.

This application must be COMPLETED and RETURNED by:

MONDAY, JULY 23,2012

Duval County Public Schools McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. Executive Recruitment and Development 7905 L St, Suite 310 Omaha, Nebraska 68127 Phone: (402) 991-7031/(888) 375-4814 E-mail: !!!J2t?lflimac."E1~.com Fax: (402) 991-7168

AAlEEO Employer

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville,

FL

Closing date July 23, 2012

ALEXANDRA
704 EAST CHAPTER
6TI-1

M. PENN,
AND CONSULTING

ED.D.
EXPERIENCE and Tallahassee, FL

AVE. TAlLAHASSEE,

FL 32303 - 850.321.3590 - GOLDENPAIR@EARTHLINKNET

1: LEADERSHIP,

ADMINISTRATIVE

1998-2003 and 2010 to present

To build independent

Virtual Learning, Inc.

(dba: GoldenPair)

Melbourne

Independent and School Choice Consultant

school capacity and quality: for alternative systems of curriculum, for Alternative instruction and assessment at Analyzed and made recommendations Alternative Public Charter Schools Developed Standard Operating

Procedures

Public Charter Schools

Assisted in the design and implementation of web-based Student Information Systems that provide principals and teachers with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions about instruction Created a "Data-Driven Culture" in Alternative Public Charter Schools and analysis of data trends leading to

Raised student achievement scores through the identification, collection necessary curricular and program changes at numerous schools of choice Increased efficiency and productivity

through strategic planning and systemic changes at schools of choice

Increased funding through grant writing efforts for schools of choice (see Chapter 6, page 7) Increased state-wide charter school accountability by providing a system for analyzing and synthesizing School Renewals and Appeals for Florida Department of Education and State Board of Education. Tallahassee, FL Charter

2009-2010 Florida Senate LegislativeAnalYst

To determine and support strong policy affecting positive change in Florida's schools: Conducted Researched surveys, focus groups and qualitative and quantitative laws and rules studies

Advised policy-makers

2003-2009 Florida Department

of Education

Tallahassee,

FL

Chiif, Bureau 0/Adult Worlifon;e Education

Led efforts which supported and improved outcomes for Adult Education and Family Literacy programs resulting in the award of approximately one million dollars of federal incentive funds Contributed to shaping policies for Adult Education and Family Literacy programs Worked in conjunction with department staff to increase accountability for Adult Education and Family Literacy programs Managed 50 million dollars in federal grant funding annually Led the re-engineering of processes and MIS systems for GED testing programs Provided administrative support to the acquisition, management and implementation of Florida's Migrant Farmworker and Adult Education and Family Literacy federal grants Led department's preparation for a five-year federal audit of Florida's adult education and family literacy programs resulting in many commendations for the state

Director, Office of Interagenry Programsjor Individuals with Disabilities

In concert with other Florida Agencies, Divisions institutions and private providers: and Bureaus of agencies, local school districts, post secondary

Identified gaps and misalignment of services and programs for persons with disabilities Gained consensus on statewide goals to ensure successful employment or further education of youth and young adults with disabilities Identified barriers that impede educational opportunities leading to future employment Identified roles and responsibilities of partner agencies with regard to statewide goals Developed collaborative relationships to identify and assist in removing state barriers to achieving the goals Identified comparable accountability measures for all agencies that serve youth or young adults with disabilities Collected and disseminate information on best practices of state and local agencies on successful strategies. Conducted gap analysis study of students in foster care and made recommendations to the Commissioner of Education that would support the improvement of educational outcomes

Spedal Advisor to the Commissioner

Led special research projects: hospital/homebound, foster care, and blind services Acted as liaison between the State Board of Education Members and the Commissioner Advised the Commissioner on specific special populations policy issues

Executive Director, Office oj Independent Education and Parental Choice:

Led efforts to support charter schools and other choice programs Contributed to shaping policies for charter schools and choice programs Worked in conjunction with staff to increase accountability for charter schools Developed processes for and led the Charter School Appeals Commission Facilitated community engagement efforts around charter schools and choice programs Supported relationships between the Department and external partners Virtual Learning, Inc.(dba: GoldenPair) Melbourne and Tallahassee, FL

2000-2003

Independent and School Choice Consultant (See Chapter 1, page 1)

1998-2000

Faith Fellowship Academy

Melbourne, FL

Founding Principal
Under the direction of a Board of Directors: Led the implementation school of a needs assessment for the founding of a faith-based pre-kindergarten through 12th grade

Developed a business plan Led development of short and long-range strategic plans Developed and implemented Made personnel, procurement Developed and implemented
Managed school budget

marketing and development

strategies to the board

and curriculum recommendations

professional development and clinical supervision plan

ALEX PENN WILLIAMS, ED.D.

1991-1998

School Board of Brevard County

Melbourne, FL

Direaor of the Cocoa At'ademy for Aerospace Technology

To expand and improve public school choice for parents and their high school students: Designed, founded and implemented a school-within-a-school opportunities for high school students which provided "break-the-mold" learning

Obtained and managed 1.7 million dollar funding for an innovative, state-of-the-art Increased high school graduation rates for at risk students

Academy for Applied Technology.

Established strong partnerships with NASA and its contractors for purposes of providing continued funding, in-kind services, internships and mentorships for students, and a third party evaluation of programs Created the "Virtual Learning Model," a curriculum and methodology which has been a pacesetter for districts around the United States Disseminated "best practices" through professional articles, a book published by ASCD, presentations, training workshops. Submitted an application for the first Florida high school conversion charter school and national

Technology Education District Supervisor

To improve K-12 career and technology education awareness Coordinated and managed three, large, school-site pilot programs for the Blueprint for Career Preparation Grant. Procured several million dollars of K-12 materials and equipment. Developed K-12 career preparation and technology education curriculum Trained and supervised school-site staff in the implementation of career development education, and integration of academic and vocational education Evaluated pilot program effectiveness on student achievement programs, technology

ALEX PENN WILLIAMS, ED.D.

CHAPTER 1999-2004

2: POLICY AND GOVERNANCE Brevard Community College

EXPERIENCE Cocoa, FL

-----------,,-------

Trustee, Vice-Chair
Along with fellow board members: Reduced bond debt from 10 million dollars to zero over three years Enacted a plan to reduce the number of Direct Support Organization Enacted a plan to increase instructional and administrative resulting in organizational streamlining of minorities

diversity resulting in better representation effectiveness and efficiency

Enacted a strategic planning initiative to create increased organization Approved increased allocation in marketing

efforts resulting in a 6 % increase in enrollment distance learning campus, resulting in a four time increase in student and

Approved increased allocation toward developing distance learning enrollment over four years Enacted a plan to increase accountability achievement Enacted a plan to move separated from procedures

through good data collection

and analysis resulting in improved

the college toward a Policy Governance Model in which policies are simplified (rules), in order to improve their clarity and accountability

Increased customer satisfaction by providing leadership to the college president for down-sizing or closing programs which were not serving the customers, and for expanding or creating new programs which supported the community's educational and economic needs

Commissioner, Legislative and Executive Appointments

Chair, Charter School Appeals Commission Member, John McKay Scholarship Task Force for Students with Member, Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Member, National Governor Association Policy Academy for Improving Post School Outcomes Disabilities Chair of the Interagency Services Committee for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities

ALEX PENN

WILLIAMS,

ED.D.

CHAPTER 2000 -2001

3: TEACHING University

EXPERIENCE Orlando, FL

of Central Florida

Actjunct Professor (part-time)

To provide support to student teachers of general and exceptional Supervised student teachers of general and exceptional Lectured for education methods 1986-1991 education during their internships education class FL

upper level undergraduate

School Board of Brevard County relevancy and student achievement:

Melbourne,

High School English Teacher

To improve curriculum Integrated high school language arts curriculum with vocational programs. and evaluated pilot program for the integration of academic and vocational

Designed, implemented education. Supervised

student and beginning teachers in the classroom Freeport, Bahamas

1980-1986

Bahamas Ministry of Education education

Exceptional Education Resource Teacher

To improve services to exceptional students in the Bahamas: recommendations for classroom Provided support and exceptional education accommodation teachers throughout K-12 schools on Grand Bahamas Island

Developed and implemented early childhood program for mentally handicapped children at a day school on Grand Bahamas Island, which was then disseminated to like-schools in the Bahamas Provided testing, evaluation and data analysis for K-12 schools

1977-1980

LaGuardia

Community

College

Queens, NY

Acijunct Instructor
To expand continuing education opportunities for urban community: education courses Designed and implemented a variety of continuing

1977-1979

Jewish Guild for the Blind and mobility opportunities an orientation

New York City, NY for blind and visually impaired youth and adults: and mobility program youth.

Rehabilitation Specialist
To improve orientation Designed and implemented Designed Expanded and implemented

a dance therapy program for multi-handicapped through recruitment and supervision

pool of peripatologists

of student teachers

ALEX PENN

WILLIAMS,

EDD.

CHAPTER 1972 - '75 1976 - '77

4: EDUCATION --~ Hunter College of the City University ofN.Y. and Communications N.Y.C., NY Hunter College of the City University ofN.Y. Visually Impaired University Fort Lauderdale, Management FL N.Y.C., NY

B.A., Cum Laude, Psychology

M.S.Ed., Specialization:

1989 -'92 EdD.,

Nova Southeastern

Child and Youth Studies, Specialization:

of Programs

CHAPTER

5: PUBLICATIONS

Penn, A. (1991). Vocational Literacy: Preparing high school students for the literacy demands of a high-tech workplace. Nova University, Center for the Advancement of Education, Fort Lauderdale. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 336 540) Penn, A. (1992). Integrating No. ED 350 396). high school English and vocational education. Fort Lauderdale. (ERIC Document Reproduction

Penn, A. (1995). The Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Technology. Proceedings Conference International Center for Leadership in Education, Inc. 125-136. Penn, A. & Williams D. (1997). Integrating Academic and Vocational Education: for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Alexandria, Virginia.

of the Third

Annual

Model

Schools

A Model for Secondary Schools, Association

Penn, A. (1997). The Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Technology: A Public High School Which Prepares Students for PostSecondary Educational and the Workplace. Proceedings of the 5th Annual Aviation Magnet School National Conference. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL. Penn-Williams, A. (2004). Tallahassee, Florida. Commissioner's Hospital/Homebound Initiative Report, Florida Department of Education,

Penn-Williams, A. (2007). Interagency Services Committee for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Florida, Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives, Tallahassee, Florida. Penn-Williams, A. (2010). Fiscal Efficiency and Effectiveness in Florida's Commitment and How Will We Know? Florida Senate, Tallahassee, FL. to Education:

Report.

State of

How Much is Enough

ALEX PENN

WILLIAMS,

ED.D.

CHAPTER

6: GRANT

AWARDS Serve America - Federal funding - 1992. Total Amount: $ 6,000. (Cocoa Academy for Aerospace

Tech.)

Academies for Applied Technology - State funding - 1993 to 1996. Total Amount: $ 450,000. (Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Tech.) Tech Prep - Federal funding -1994. Total Amount: $ 12,000. (Cocoa Academy for Aerospace

Tech.)

Science and Technology Facilities - State Funding - 1995. Total Amount: $ 365,000. (Cocoa Academy for Aerospace

Tech.)

Brevard Schools Mini Grants - Foundation funding1994, '95 & '96 Total Amount: $ 3,500. (Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Tech.) McDonnell Douglas Comm. Fund - Corporate funding - 1995 to'97 Total Amount: $ 8,500. (Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Tech.) Lockheed Space Operations Corp. - Corporate funding - 1996 to'97 Total Amount: $ 1,500. (Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Tech.) Serve America - Federally funded for fiscal year 1999. Total Amount: $ 8,000. (Faith Fellowship Academy) Walton Family Foundation - Foundation funding - 2000 to '01 Total Amount: $160,000. (Liberty City Charter School) North Dade Medical Foundation - Foundation funding - 2000 to '01 Total Amount: $ 65,000. (Liberty City Charter School) Charter School Dissemination Grant - Federal funding - 2001 to '03 Total Amount: $ 180,000. (Liberty City Charter School) National Governors_Association Total Amount: $ 35,000 (NGA) Center for Best Practices -Foundation - 2007

Adult Education and Family Literacy - Federal funding - 2008 Total Amount: $ 27,600,000 (Florida Department of Education) English Literacy Total Amount and Civic Education - Federal funding - 2008-09 $6,800,000 (Florida Department of Education)

Charter School Implementation Grant - State funding - 2012-14 Total Amount $350,000 (Mavericks in Education High School, Palm Beach)

ALEX PENN

WILLIAMS,

ED.D.

CHAPTER

7: PRESENTATIONS

AND

WORKSHOPS

The Second Annual National Reading Resource Specialist Conference, Cocoa Beach, Florida, February 8-10, 1991. Preparing High School Students for the Literacy Demands of the High-Tech Workplace. The 24th Annual Vocational, Adult and Community Education Conference, Tampa, Florida, August 4-7, 1991. Vocational Readiness: Preparing High School Students for the Literacy Demands of the High-Tech Workplace. Society of Women Engineers National Convention and Student Conference, Orlando, Florida, June 22-28, 1992. Brevard County's Blueprint for Career Preparation. The 25th Annual Vocational Adult and Community Education Conference, Orlando, Florida, August 2-5, 1992. NASA and Brevard County Teachers Create Technology Learning Activities (T.L.A.'s) to Foster Integration of Academic and Vocational Education. Florida's Blueprint for Career Preparation State Conference, Saddlebrook, Florida, September 23-25, 1992. NASA and Brevard County Teachers Create Technology Learning Activities (I.L.A.'s) to Foster Integration of Academic and Vocational Education. Florida's Conference on Improving Education, Grenelefe, Florida, September 30-October 1, 1993. Career Academies: A Model for School-to-Work Transition Programs. Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation's Career Academies Evaluation Conference, San Francisco, California, March 12-14, 1994. Integrating Vocational and Academic Curricula. Florida's Career Academies Conference, Tampa, Florida, March 18, 1994. Virtual Learning: A Model for Integrating Curricula. Virtual Learning Workshops, Cocoa Beach, Florida, May 6-8, 1994. Virtual Learning: An Academy for Applied Technology. International Reading Association Conference, Anaheim, California, April 29May 5, 1995. Integrating Workplace Relevance into a Secondary Language Arts Program. Third Annual Model Schools Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 25-28, 1995. The Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Technology: A School-Within-a-School Where Integration of Academic and Vocational Education Works.

ALEX PENN WILLIAMS, EnD.

The Fourth Annual National Leadership Forum on School to Work Transition: Building the System, Boston, Massachusetts, July 27-29, 1995. The Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Technology: Smoothing the School-to-Work Transition & Career Academies. International Reading Association Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 28-May 3, 1996. Planning and Developing Curricula for School-to-WorkTransition. Virtual Learning Workshops, Anacostia High School, Washington D.C., July 2829, 1996. Virtual Learning: An Academy for Applied Technology. Virtual Learning Workshops, Ocean County Vocational-Technical Schools, New Jersey, July 30-August 2, 1996. Virtual Learning: An Academy for Applied Technology. The Fifth Annual Aviation Magnet School National Conference, January 29 February 1, 1997. The Cocoa Academy for Aerospace Technology: A Public High School Which Prepares Students for Post-Secondary Educational and the Workplace. Fifth, Sixth & Seventh Annual Florida State Charter School Conferences, November 2000, 2001 & 2003. Academic Accountability for Florida Charter Schools and Governance: The Carver Model The National Governor's Policy Academy on Improving Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities Summit, Annapolis, Maryland, May 19-20, 2007. Transition System Integration Model. Vocational Rehabilitation Regional Directors Workshop - Atlanta, Georgia, June 20-21, 2007. Transition System Integration Model.

CHAPTER

8: PAST AND PRESENT

PROFESSIONAL

CERTIFICATIONS

New York State, Visually Impaired, K - 12. Florida State, Visually Impaired, K - 12. Florida State, Secondary School English. Florida State, ESOL. Florida State, Educational Leadership

CHAPTER

9: PAST AND PRESENT

PROFESSIONAL

AFFILIATIONS

American Educational Research Association International Technology Education Association Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development International Reading Association Florida Charter School Consortium ACE of Florida

ALEX PENN WILLIAMS, EDD.