Heartland Educational Consortium

🎓✨ Wednesday’s Professional Learning at DeSoto County High was all about that morphology!

Led by HEC Literacy Specialist Candis Dean along with District Literacy Coaches Jamie Heine and Mary Meyers, ELA teachers in grades 3–12 dug into the power of morphology and strategies to teach it explicitly in their classrooms.

💡 From roots and prefixes to suffixes and beyond, teachers left with tools to help students unlock deeper word knowledge and stronger reading skills.

👏 Big thanks to our amazing facilitators and to all the educators who came ready to learn and grow!

#LiteracyMatters #MorphologyMagic #DeSotoStrong #HECProfessionalLearning
#ServeSupportStrengthen

🌟 JOIN US! 🌟

We’re excited to launch HEC’s Workforce Advisory Council 💼📚—a group dedicated to shaping the future of our region’s workforce!

✅ Provide input on local workforce needs
✅ Advise on educational programs & career pathways
✅ Build partnerships between schools & businesses
✅ Support students with internships, mentorship & job opportunities
✅ Help shape regional economic growth 🌱

👥 Who Can Join?

Business & Industry Leaders 🏭

Workforce Development Professionals 💡

Community & Civic Leaders 🏘️

Anyone passionate about preparing students for success 🙌

👉 Interested? Fill out the form here: tinyurl.com/hecworkforce

📞 Contact: Whitney McGee
Director of Instructional Services
📧 whitney.mcgee@heartlanded.org | ☎️ 863-531-0444 x.10703

Together, let’s build stronger schools, businesses, and communities! 🌍✨

🎉✨ Back to School Bingo, Books, and Bites at Everglades Elementary was a HUGE success! ✨🎉🐊

Families came together to enjoy a delicious meal, receive a brand-new book, and join in the fun of Back to School Bingo. 📚🍽️🎲

We also shared an exciting opportunity from New Worlds Reading to help families build at-home libraries for their children. What a wonderful way to encourage reading and grow a love of books at home! ❤️📖

We loved seeing our school community connect, laugh, and start the year off strong. Thank you to everyone who came out and made this event so special! 💙💚

#EvergladesElementary #BackToSchool #FamilyFun #BooksAndBingo #NewWorldsReading #ServeSupportStrengthen
#NewWorldsReading #Okeechobee

🌟 Heartland Educational Consortium is excited to once again partner with New World Reading to bring Community Literacy Events to our districts! 📚✨

The first event kicks off tonight at Everglades Elementary in Okeechobee County. We look forward to celebrating the joy of reading with our families and communities—see you there! 💙

#BuildingAtHomeLibraries #ServeSupportStrengthen #NewWorldsReading #Okeechobee #ReadTogether #FamilyLiteracy

🌱 Member District Position Open: Agriculture Teacher 🌱

🚜 We’re Hiring!
The School District of Hardee County is seeking an Agriculture Teacher to help students grow their knowledge and skills in ag education.

✨ Starting Salary: $49,531
📍 Hardee County, FL

Bring your passion for agriculture and education to the classroom and shape the next generation of leaders!

👉 Apply today: tinyurl.com/HardeeInstructionalApp

📞 Questions? Contact Melanie Henderson, HR Director, at 863-773-9058.

#AgEd #TeachingJobs #NowHiring

🍎 Member District Position Open: ESE Teacher 🍎

📚 Join Our Team!
The School District of Hardee County is hiring a passionate ESE Teacher to support and inspire students.

✨ Starting Salary: $49,531
📍 Hardee County, FL

If you have a heart for teaching and a commitment to student success, this is your opportunity to make a difference!

👉 Apply today: tinyurl.com/HardeeInstructionalApp

📞 Questions? Contact Melanie Henderson, HR Director, at 863-773-9058.

#TeachingJobs #ESETeacher #NowHiring

🌟 Member District Position Open: Finance Director 🌟

💼 We’re Hiring!
The School District of Hardee County is looking for a Finance Director to join the team!

✨ Starting Salary: $92,750
📍 Hardee County, FL

If you’re ready to lead with vision and make an impact in education finance, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 Apply today: tinyurl.com/HardeeInstructionalApp

📞 Questions? Contact Melanie Henderson, HR Director, at 863-773-9058.

#NowHiring #FinanceJobs #EducationCareers

📚✨ Welcome Back, Hardee! ✨📚 Today, our last Heartland Educational Consortium district—Hardee County Schools—returns to the classroom! 🏫🎉 We’re so excited to have all 6 of our districts back in session, ready for a year of learning, growth, and success. 🍎✏️ 💙 Here’s to an amazing school year ahead for all our students, teachers, staff, and families! 🚀 #HeartlandStrong #BackToSchool #WeAreHeartland 🌟 Heartland Educational Consortium 🌟

📚✨ Welcome Back, Heartland Schools! ✨📚

Today, 5 of our 6 Heartland Educational Consortium districts are officially back in session, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🏫🎉

We’re wishing all of our students, teachers, staff, and families a fantastic first day filled with learning, laughter, and new adventures. 🍎✏️

💙 Let’s make this school year the best one yet—full of growth, creativity, and success! 🚀

#HeartlandStrong #BackToSchool #WeAreHeartland
🌟 Heartland Educational Consortium 🌟

📚 New Worlds Reading Teacher Professional Learning in the HEC Region 🌟

We were thrilled to host the New Worlds Reading professional learning sessions across the HEC Region! All six districts were well represented in each grade band, showcasing the commitment and collaboration of our incredible educators.

👩‍🏫 Teachers engaged in dynamic sessions rooted in the Science of Reading, diving deep into instructional strategies using the Teacher Resource Guides and hands-on manipulatives to support small group instruction.

Angie Coleman from
Hardee, Candis Dean from HEC, and Sasha Tack from Hendry were co-presenters with specialists from Lastinger Center during this event.

💡 These sessions equipped educators with the tools and knowledge to elevate reading instruction and accelerate student success. We are proud of the dedication shown and excited for the impact this learning will have in classrooms across our region!

#HECReads #ScienceOfReading #NewWorldsReading #ProfessionalLearning #HECRegion #TeacherLeaders #LiteracyChampions

This week, Heartland Educational Consortium proudly hosted the Math Matrix Leadership Institute in partnership with UF Lastinger Center for Learning. The institute featured rich discussions, including powerful reflections from returning participants who shared how the course transformed their practices. This collaborative space continues to build a strong community of practice focused on high-quality math instruction. We're excited to see the impact as this work extends into schools and classrooms across our districts!

🎉 A Big Thank You to Eduphoria, Inc.! 🎉 Heartland Educational Consortium is proud to recognize Eduphoria, Inc. for their generous sponsorship of our Summer Leadership Conference! 🌟 Your partnership helps empower educational leaders across our region. 📝📊 Eduphoria, Inc. provides intuitive software solutions for assessment, professional development, and instructional planning. Their tools help educators work smarter and focus on what matters most — student success! 🍎✨ #HECSummerLeadership #ThankYouSponsor #Eduphoria #EdTechSupport #EmpoweringEducators

🎉 Thank You, Penda Learning! 🎉 Heartland Educational Consortium extends our deepest gratitude to Penda Learning for sponsoring our Summer Leadership Conference! 🌞📚 Your support helps make this impactful gathering possible. 🧪💡 Penda Learning is a science intervention platform designed to improve student outcomes through engaging, standards-aligned science lessons and real-time data for teachers. Their commitment to academic success is truly inspiring! 👏 #HECSummerLeadership #ThankYouSponsor #PendaLearning #STEMeducation #EdTech 💻🔬

🌟 Apply for a Scholarship to the 29th Annual Summer Leadership Conference! Are you ready to Shape & Strengthen your leadership? Here's your chance to attend the 2025 Summer Leadership Conference—for FREE! What the Scholarship Covers: 🎟 Full Conference Registration ($250 value) 🏨 Hotel Accommodations for 2 Nights at the Westin Cape Coral 🍽 All meals and conference perks included! Conference Highlights: 🎤 Keynote by Superintendent Russell Hughes: "EPIC WITH ONE OPPORTUNITY: The Reality of Having One Chance at Anything Great!" 🧠 Engaging breakout sessions and networking opportunities 🎓 Insightful updates and panels, including Florida's 2025 Teacher of the Year 📅 Dates: June 17-18, 2025 📍 Location: Westin Cape Coral at Marina Village 📌 Scholarship Application Deadline: May 14, 2025 Apply now for your chance to experience this dynamic professional learning opportunity! 🔗 Scholarship Application: tinyurl.com/2025slcscholarship

HEC would like to congratulate Angela M. Butts from DeSoto County being named their 2026 District Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Bennett states, "Angela's patience and genuine love for teaching shines through in her personal connections with students, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment where all children can thrive. Angela inspires her colleagues by continuously seeking growth and embracing new ideas and district initiatives. As a grade-level chair, she leads by example, offering guidance, support, and encouragement to her team." #FLTOY2026

🛠️ Non-Instructional Staff – We want to hear from YOU! 💬💼 From tech to transportation, office staff to operations—your voice matters! 🙌 💡 Help shape next year’s services and supports by completing the HEC 2025 Needs Assessment! Your insights help us build a better future for our schools and students. 🌱✨ 🔗 tinyurl.com/2025NonInstructionalNeeds 📸 Or scan the QR code below to get started! 👇 Let’s grow together—every role makes a difference! 💙🏫 #HECStaffVoice #SupportStaffMatters #HEC2025 #WeHearYou

🎯 District & School Leaders – We need YOU! 💬📣 Your voice matters, and we want to hear what you need for the upcoming year! 🙌 📝 Please take a moment to fill out HEC’s 2025 Needs Assessment. It helps us plan impactful support and services tailored just for YOU! 💡✨ 🔗 tinyurl.com/2025LeaderNeeds 📲 Or scan the QR code below 👇 Let’s make 2025 amazing—together! 💪📘🧩 #HECLeaders #SchoolImprovement #LeaderSupport #WeHearYou

🍎 Instructional Staff – We want to hear from YOU! 🗣️📚 Your insights are 🔑 to helping us shape next year’s support, training, and resources! 💡 Let us know what YOU need by filling out HEC’s 2025 Needs Assessment! Together, we can create impactful learning experiences for all. 🌟 📲 tinyurl.com/2025InstructionalNeeds Or scan the QR code below! 📸👇 Let’s build a stronger future—side by side! 💪👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 #HECInstructionalVoice #TeacherSupport #HEC2025 #WeHearYou

🎉 What an AMAZING day at Heartland Educational Consortium! 🙌 Every single member district showed up and showed OUT 💪💻 for our ADA Training on Website & Social Media Accessibility! 🌐📲 From mastering ADA & WCAG compliance to hands-on implementation and live audits, participants are now fully equipped to go back and make sure their digital spaces are accessible to ALL 💬👀👂. We're not just reducing legal risk — we're building a future, one bright website and post at a time. 💙✨ Thank you to everyone who made today such a success! Let's keep pushing for accessibility across every screen and platform. 🚀 #AccessibilityForAll #Heartland #HEC #ADACompliance #WebAccessibility

📣 Calling all CTE Teachers! 📣 Get ready for a day of collaboration, innovation, and planning as we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year! 🔧💼💻 🗓 Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 📍 Location: Heartland Educational Consortium 💰 Participants will receive a $150 gross stipend (before taxes). 🚗 Please note: Travel is not covered. Join fellow Career & Technical Education educators to share ideas, align best practices, and strengthen your CTE programs for student success! 🛠️📚🚀 👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and plan with CTE professionals from across the region! #CTETeachers #CTEStrong #HECcollaborates #HeartlandEd #WorkforceReady #CTE2025 #ProfessionalLearning