School District of Lee County to host Social Lee informational event July 28

The School District of Lee County is hosting Social Lee: Careers & Conversations, an informational event that will provide insight on teaching and non-instructional positions within the district, Thursday, July 28 in Fort Myers.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet district representatives, learn about the variety of career paths available and walk through the process of becoming certified to teach in Florida. Select candidates may also be offered an interview for potential employment. Positions are available across the district with a focus on high-demand positions like English, elementary education, science, math and special education, as well as for non-instructional positions including bus drivers, paraprofessionals and school counselors.

Florida is one of 48 states that offer alternative routes to becoming a certified teacher. Individuals who already earned a bachelor’s degree in any field can become eligible for Florida teacher certification by passing a subject area exam in their area of expertise, completing additional coursework or enrolling in a teacher preparation program.

With a growing enrollment of more than 95,000 students and 120 schools, the district’s efforts to put “The Right Talent in the Right Place” means that new teachers will receive the support and necessary resources that will enable them to succeed upon entering the field of education. The School District of Lee County offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation plan for its employees. Additional benefits and earning opportunities are also available via advanced degree supplement, summer school, athletic coaching and more. Upon hire, a personal benefits selection process will be made available to eligible employees.

The Social Lee informational event will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on July 28 at University Grill, located at 7790 Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers. To register by July 27, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiDOY65Aeq74izVO2NqxorWnMdbCc53H0tQHrLkuQlAhr8zA/viewform.

To learn more about available career opportunities, visit www.LeeSchools.net/Careers.

Get On the Wheel at Hodges University

The saying goes, “Finish what you started,” and Hodges University answers that need with the Hodges University Wheel. It’s a hyper-focused way to earn a bachelor’s degree in organizational management in as little as one year. Classes start in September.

Because Hodges University is transfer credit friendly, students can bring previously earned college credits from the military, industry, or other colleges or universities, and apply them towards this degree.

Students meet for class just once a week, with the remaining work done on their own. Classes are one evening a week, or on Saturday to help students who are balancing a full time job and family.

Classes are planned for the Hodges University campus in Fort Myers, the Hodges Direct Community Resource Center of Goodwill in Port Charlotte, and in Naples at a location to be announced. Students have the option to select the location most convenient to them.

For more information, visit Hodges.edu or call 239-938-7700.

Hodges University is a regionally accredited, private nonprofit institution founded in 1990. With a campus in Fort Myers, Hodges provides flexible day, evening and online classes taught by world-class faculty for undergraduate and graduate degrees. More information about Hodges University is available at Hodges.edu

Golden named director of Corporate and Community Partnerships at Hodges University

Dennis Golden has joined Hodges University as director of Corporate and Community Partnerships.

In this role, he is responsible for developing new and enhancing existing relationships with business and community stakeholders throughout Southwest Florida.

Golden brings more than 20 years of proven success as a sales and operations executive that include strategic planning & execution, team development and leadership, performance management, business development, and customer relationship management.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration and political science from West Chester University, West Chester, Pa.

Hodges University, a regionally accredited, private nonprofit institution founded in 1990, prepares students to leverage higher learning in their personal, professional, and civic endeavors. With over 14,000 graduates, Hodges University is a regionally accredited, private nonprofit institution founded in 1990. With a campus in Fort Myers, Hodges provides flexible day, evening and online classes taught by world-class faculty for undergraduate and graduate degrees. More information about Hodges University is available at Hodges.edu

School District Earns 2022 Aetna Workplace Well-being Award

The School District of Lee County has announced it has received a Making a Difference Gold Level Aetna Workplace Well-being Award. The district has a strong commitment to improving employee health and features a comprehensive well-being strategy that employees are passionate about. The award is the culmination of the employees’ desire to live healthier, more active lives and make well-being a priority.

“I’m proud to be part of a company with a commitment to well-being,” said Bonnie McFarland, Director of Insurance and Benefits Management. “Over the last few years, we continued to support our employees’ health by introducing more self-paced, online options for wellness. Our well-being program is simply part of the way we do business.”

The district’s workplace well-being program provides resources to assist employees in creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Exercise classes, nutrition classes and mental well-being classes are offered. There is a fitness center, health coaching, virtual wellness resources, onsite flu shots, and more available.

The Workplace Well-being award was established in 2017 and recognizes middle market, public and labor employers throughout the US who offer an Aetna medical plan to employees. Award recipients are selected based on information on their well-being strategy and design, communications and organizational engagement, and program implementation and evaluation.

The Gold level, the award’s highest honor, is awarded to employers who successfully create, provide, and support a healthier workplace for employees with effective programming, tools, and resources to help everyone on their own personal well-being journey.