Short Intro
Okaloosa County recently celebrated a milestone in teacher development. Twenty-four educators from kindergarten through high school have completed Florida State University’s inSPIRE certification program. This initiative equips teachers with fresh strategies, cutting-edge tools and a deeper understanding of student needs. As these newly certified instructors return to their classrooms, both students and families can look forward to more engaging lessons and stronger academic outcomes.
Article
In a packed ceremony at the Okaloosa County School District (OCSD) administrative building, twenty-four local teachers received their inSPIRE certificates from Florida State University’s College of Education. The inSPIRE program—Innovative Strategic Professional Insights for Real-time Educators—focuses on classroom innovation, data-driven decision making and social-emotional learning. Over six months of online modules, face-to-face workshops and peer coaching, participants honed their skills in areas like differentiated instruction, culturally responsive teaching and the use of educational technology.
Dr. Marcus May, OCSD Superintendent, praised the teachers’ commitment. “Our county is dedicated to lifelong learning for our staff,” he said. “These educators volunteered extra hours to expand their toolkits. Their drive will ripple through their classrooms and help every child reach their potential.” He added that this partnership with FSU underscores the district’s goal to offer rigorous, research-based professional development to all teachers.
Teachers represented ten schools across the county, from Destin Elementary to Niceville High. Each candidate began the journey by completing a needs assessment—reviewing their own teaching practices and identifying areas for growth. Next came a series of intensive workshops, led by FSU faculty and master teachers from OCSD. Topics ranged from creating inclusive lesson plans to integrating virtual reality into social studies. Teachers then worked in small “innovation teams” to design a capstone project that addressed a real challenge in their classrooms.
Miss Sarah Jenkins, a fifth-grade teacher at Bluewater Elementary, tackled reading comprehension. “I noticed some students struggled to stay engaged with traditional texts,” she explained. “My team created an interactive e-book series with audio support and embedded discussion prompts. It boosted participation, and my students are now comparing themes and analyzing characters like never before.”
High school math instructor Mr. Carlos Rivera focused on data use. “I learned how to collect formative data in real time and adjust my lessons on the fly,” he said. “Instead of waiting for chapter tests, I use quick polls and exit tickets that feed into one dashboard. It lets me spot learning gaps immediately and reteach concepts before they become big problems.”
Social-emotional learning (SEL) was another cornerstone of the program. Teachers explored strategies to build classroom communities where students feel safe and supported. Ms. Maya Caldwell, a middle school science teacher, introduced morning “check-ins” using a feelings chart. “When kids know it’s OK to say they’re anxious or excited, they come to class ready to learn,” she noted. Her capstone combined SEL with project-based learning—students designed and tested water filters, then reflected on teamwork, problem solving and perseverance.
FSU instructors emphasized that professional growth must be ongoing. Dr. Lillian Harper, inSPIRE’s director, reminded participants that certification is not an endpoint. “True inSPIRE learners keep questioning, collaborating and refining their craft,” she said. “You’ve built a network of colleagues across the county. Lean on each other as you tackle new challenges, celebrate successes and share resources.”
Superintendent May announced that the district will host follow-up workshops and “learning labs” throughout the year. These sessions will allow inSPIRE graduates to present their capstone results, mentor new cohorts and explore advanced topics like trauma-informed teaching and adaptive learning technologies. Plans are also underway to scale the program to 50 new teachers next year.
Families and community members can expect tangible benefits from this investment. Improved lesson design can lead to higher student engagement, stronger test scores and a more supportive classroom climate. The district’s strategic plan ties directly into this work: by boosting educator expertise, OCSD aims to narrow achievement gaps and prepare every student for college, career and life.
3 Key Takeaways
• inSPIRE Certification: A six-month program blending online modules, hands-on workshops and peer coaching.
• Teacher Impact: Graduates design capstone projects that solve real classroom challenges—ranging from reading engagement to data-driven instruction and social-emotional learning.
• Ongoing Growth: District-sponsored learning labs and mentoring will keep skills fresh and expand participation to dozens more teachers.
3-Question FAQ
Q1: What is the FSU inSPIRE program?
A1: inSPIRE (Innovative Strategic Professional Insights for Real-time Educators) is a certification offered by Florida State University’s College of Education. It equips K–12 teachers with research-based strategies in instructional design, data use and social-emotional learning.
Q2: Who was eligible to participate?
A2: OCSD invited teachers in any subject or grade level who demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to professional growth. Participants applied with a self-assessment, a principal’s recommendation and a plan for a classroom capstone project.
Q3: How will students benefit?
A3: Certified teachers implement more engaging lessons, use real-time data to address learning gaps promptly and foster a classroom environment where every student feels heard and supported. Early pilots show improved participation and higher formative assessment scores.
Call to Action
Are you an Okaloosa County teacher eager to grow your skills? Or a parent curious about our inSPIRE initiatives? Visit www.okaloosaschools.com/inspire to learn more, view upcoming workshop dates and nominate outstanding educators for the next cohort. Let’s work together to spark inspiration in every classroom!
