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Florida Virtual School Sweeps the USDLA Awards in All Pre-
K-12 Categories
FLVS Executive Director, Julie Young inducted into the USDLA Hall of Fame
Orlando, FL (4/30/03) - Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and
two of its staff were recognized today by the United States Distance Learning
Association (USDLA)
for excellence in programming and teaching, and for individual accomplishment
in the field of distance learning. Additionally, Julie Young, founder and executive
director of FLVS, was inducted into the USDLA Hall of Fame as a “visionary
leader” for her pioneering work in distance learning on the pre K-12
level. The announcements were made at USDLA’s annual awards ceremony
held today (4/30/03) in Washington, D.C.
Individual awards went to Bruce Friend, FLVS’ Chief Academic Officer,
for Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual; Mary Mitchell, developer
and teacher of FLVS’ online biology course for Excellence in Distance
Learning Teaching; and to Florida Virtual School for Excellence in Distance
Learning Programming. This is the third time within four consecutive years
that FLVS has been recognized by the USDLA for its quality of service and
commitment to the distance learning field.
Florida Education Commissioner Jim Horne congratulated
the award recipients. “I
commend the Florida Virtual School, Julie Young, Bruce Friend, and Mary Mitchell
for their accomplishments in distance learning. Their efforts and commitment
have allowed Florida’s children to be on the cutting-edge of education,” said
Horne.
In announcing Julie Young’s induction into its Hall of Fame, the USDLA
wrote, “Julie Young is a visionary leader who took a program from
an enrollment of 250 in 11 courses to 12,000 enrollments in 65 courses
in a few
short years. She guides and advises schools and organizations across
the globe on the resources of distance learning, working with many organizations
and
state and federal departments of education.”
Regarding Florida Virtual School, the USDLA wrote, “FLVS
is a leader in education and the world of distance learning. Florida Virtual
School has
changed the way that teachers interact with students. Through their online
courses, threaded discussions, synchronous chats, conference calls and even
group projects, interaction and communication is the most important ingredient
in keeping learners engaged.”
In recognizing Bruce Friend, the USDLA wrote that he “fosters
the vision and manages the day-to-day operations of a state-of-the-art online
school that
has become an industry leader. Bruce is a national leader in distance education
and is sought out for his counsel, skill and wisdom as a regular trainer,
speaker and consultant.”
Regarding the contributions of Mary Mitchell, the USDLA
said, “Ms. Mitchell
developed and teaches the student-centered, standards based, and highly
acclaimed online Biology course for FLVS. It is a dynamic interactive, real-world
learning
environment that gives choices to students and requires that students
take ownership of the learning process.”
For the complete text of the awards announcement, photographs and biographies
of the award winners, contact Heidi Hollowell at: (407) 513-3587.
See pictures from the awards ceremony and read what usdla.org
has to say
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