For nearly 30 years as
a professional educator, Kathleen DePalma has made a difference
in the lives of thousands of students. Her earliest experience
as a teacher occurred in a small classroom with just five students
- her five brothers and sisters who were willing to play the
role of “students.” Today, Mrs. DePalma is a grandmother of
six who benefit greatly from the loving attention of a veteran
teacher.
For more than a generation,
students have enjoyed taking classes from the kind of teacher
who truly loves them. Even struggling students recognize that
the encouragement they receive from Mrs. DePalma comes from
the heart and produces results. For Mrs. DePalma, academic success
must first be built on a caring relationship between teacher
and student.
Loving English and being
passionate about reading is also a hallmark of Mrs. DePalma’s
teaching. She believes that understanding the written word is
the key to all communication. It is also an important key to
passing the FCAT. In her class, students polish their reading
skills, become familiar with the test format, and learn to manage
stress and timelines.
Over the years, Mrs.
DePalma has taught many subjects including 5 th through 12 th
grade English, Math, Science, Writing, and Research and Critical
Thinking. She also served as a middle school principal for five
years. Today, she is thankful for the opportunity offered by
Florida Virtual School to continue her career, while also spending
more time with her grandchildren.
Mrs. DePalma earned her
M.Ed. degree in Educational Leadership from William Patterson
University, and her B.A. degree in English from Fairleigh Dickinson
University.
