Teachers

Laurel Blackburn is named Teacher of the Year for Lee County and she talks about teaching what some consider a scary subject: Math.

This past October, three Lee County teachers were suspended without pay or benefits after making comments on social media regarding the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

The School Board for the School District of Lee County has approved a new contract with the Teachers Association of Lee County.In a joint release made Tuesday night, the district and the teachers union said the agreement reflects "our shared commitment to valuing educators, supporting students, and maintaining one of the most competitive compensation packages in the state of Florida."

A U.S. district judge Wednesday said a 2023 Florida law restricting pronouns that transgender teachers can use to identify themselves violates a federal civil-rights law — but the outcome of the issue might ultimately hinge on an appeals-court ruling in a Georgia case.U.S. District Judge Mark Walker sided with Hillsborough County teacher Katie Wood and a Lee County teacher, identified as Jane Doe, in finding that the state law discriminates in violation of what is known as Section VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That section bars employment discrimination because of a person’s “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.”

Last year, The School District of Lee County had 235 teaching vacancies but have since whittled down that number to only 45, meaning there will be a certified schoolteacher in every classroom.

District officials said every classroom will begin the new school year with a certified teacher at the helm.

A proposal designed in part to keep “identity politics” out of teacher-preparation courses began moving forward Monday in the Senate, with opponents arguing it could drive teachers away from Florida.The Republican-controlled Senate Education Postsecondary Committee voted 5-3 along party lines to approve the bill (SB 1372).

Dealing a blow to teachers unions, a federal judge has refused to block part of a new Florida law that prevents union dues from being deducted from workers’ paychecks.Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Friday issued a 40-page ruling denying a preliminary injunction sought by the Florida Education Association, the United Faculty of Florida and unions representing employees of the Alachua County, Hernando County and Pinellas County school districts and the University of Florida.

Faculty unions and a New College of Florida professor who was denied tenure have challenged the constitutionality of a new state law that did away with arbitration in university employment disputes.

In an effort to recruit future employees, district staff will be in the main lobby of the Lee County Public Education Center from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday July 24 to Friday July 28 and recruiters will have a table in the main lobby during the Back to School Rush event on Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.