Project Bridges at UCF

07/22/2024

06/07/2023

Ready to join the eighth-largest school district in the nation? 📚 Don't miss the Orange County Public Schools Virtual Job Fair for teachers and paraprofessionals being held on Thursday, June 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Schools at all levels will be represented.

Applications must be submitted by Monday, June 19 at noon to secure your interview time. Notifications for virtual interviews will be sent via email.

Teachers apply here: https://bit.ly/OCPSTeacher062223
Paraprofessionals apply here: https://bit.ly/OCPSPara062223

Why OCPS?
Did you know that OCPS is the 8th largest school district in the nation? We take pride in our commitment to excellence, innovation, and creating an inclusive learning environment.

◾ Benefits package valued at over $21,000 a year, including a $0 cost health insurance option
◾ Option to enroll in the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan
◾ 210 school locations with opportunities for career growth
◾ 10 paid holidays
◾ 10 paid sick days

In addition, your benefits as an Orange County Public Schools teacher include:
◾ $3,000 additional pay at high-needs schools
◾ Additional pay for advanced degrees
◾ Paid stipends for coaching/mentoring
◾ School and district leadership opportunities

If you have questions, call our recruitment office at 407-317-3203.

06/04/2023

PALS Math is a class-wide peer tutoring program that allows to differentiate instruction while students grades K-6 work on a broad range of math skills at their grade level. Learn how to implement this program in the classroom in a virtual Summer Learning Institute from .

Sign up and browse more summer offerings: https://bit.ly/3ibSc0p

05/04/2023

This week’s Project Bridges 2.0 scholar highlight is Delaney Rust!

We are excited to introduce you to Delaney Rust who received their undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Delaney decided to become a school psychologist because of her passion for working with children and her love for psychological principles.

Currently, Delaney works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at UCF in the College of Business. Delaney also has experience as a Registered Behavior Technician working with children with autism. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Delaney hopes to accomplish securing an internship placement.

This program will provide Delaney the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Delaney is hoping to continue developing her understanding of this profession by working as a school psychologist.

05/01/2023

This week’s Project Bridges 2.0 scholar highlight is Gina Flanagan!

We are excited to introduce you to Gina Flanagan who received their undergraduate degree in Exceptional Student Education from Kean University in New Jersey. Gina decided to become a teacher because she knew she could have a positive impact on children.

Gina has been teaching for 19 years. Currently, Gina works as an ESE Support Facilitator at Edgewater Public School in Volusia County. For the past 19 years, she taught students with varying exceptionalities in all grades in an elementary school. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Gina hopes to get a better understanding of updated supports and resources for students. She also hopes to continue helping students access all things in school and positively impact relationships with co-workers.

This program will provide Gina with the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high-intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Gina is hoping to continue teaching students with special needs and to share her gained knowledge at her school and in her district to make sure everyone can successfully meet the needs of all our students.

04/26/2023

This week’s Project Bridges 2.0 scholar highlight is Ashley Krohnberg!

We are excited to introduce you to Ashley Krohnberg who received their undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University. Ashley decided to become a School Psychologist because through her experiences as a third and fourth grade teacher, she learned she has a passion for working with children who need a little extra love and support. She also enjoys working in one-on-one or small group settings with students.

Currently, Ashley works as a teacher at the Creative School for Children at the University of Central Florida. Ashley has been working in this pre-K setting for nearly two years. Prior to this, she taught in an elementary setting for three years. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Ashley hopes to gain a more thorough understanding of the collaborative aspect between school psychologists and special education teachers in order to best support the needs of all students.

This program will provide Ashley the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high-intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Ashley is hoping to become a full-time school psychologist somewhere outside of Florida.

04/17/2023

This week’s Project Bridges 2.0 scholar highlight is Jenny Kuiper!
We are excited to introduce you to Jenny Kuiper, who received her undergraduate degree in Special Education from Mississippi College. Jenny decided to become a teacher because not only does she have a passion for working with students who have special needs, she also enjoys working with their families to determine appropriate, meaningful, and lifelong goals and aspirations. Observing their growth and watching them strive towards meeting educational goals brings Jenny great joy.
Jenny has been teaching for 15+ years. Currently, Jenny works as an ESE Support Facilitator and ESE Team Lead at Jackson Heights Middle School in Seminole County Public Schools. For the past 15 years, she taught students with special needs ranging from specific learning disabilities to those with multiple disabilities. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Jenny hopes to accomplish her goal of increasing her knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of exceptional education while preparing for instructing future teachers.
This program will provide Jenny the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high-intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Jenny is hoping to continue her education in the doctoral program.

04/10/2023

We are excited to introduce you to Cara Munnings who received her undergraduate degree in English Education in 2017 from High Point University. Cara decided to become a School Psychologist to pursue a leadership role beyond the classroom. As an educator, Cara is passionate about data collection and loves helping students meet their academic goals!

Currently, Cara works as the Department Assistant for the Counselor Education and School Psychology Program right here at the University of Central Florida. Prior to coming to UCF, Cara was an Elementary school teacher. She has taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grade over the years. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Cara hopes to refine skills, namely data-based decision-making and consulting with other educators.

This program will provide Cara the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high-intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Cara is hoping to become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP).

04/03/2023

This week’s Project Bridges 2.0 scholar highlight is Aneesha Franklin!
We are excited to introduce you to Aneesha Franklin who received their undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Johnson C. Smith University, and HBCU in Charlotte, NC. Aneesha decided to become a teacher because of a class she took her junior and and senior year of high school where she actually went to an elementary school and middle school each week to work with the students in reading. She will always remember the first grader she worked with on sight words and the pure joy she felt when that student read their first book to her. Because of this feeling, she became a teacher.
Aneesha has been teaching for 23 years. Currently, Aneesha works as a Tier 1 Interventionist at Three Points Elementary School in Orange County. During her numerous years of teaching, she worked with students who are considered to have high-intensity needs, including students with disabilities. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Aneesha hopes to accomplish becoming more of an advocate for students with disabilities.
This program will provide Aneesha Franklin the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high-intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Aneesha is hoping to to become a liaison between general education teachers and special education teachers to coach them on best practices to ensure their students (general education and special education alike) are making gains.

03/27/2023

This week’s Project Bridges 2.0 scholar
highlight is Lismari Valentin!

We are excited to introduce you to Lismari Valentin who received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Lismari decided to become a School Psychologist because she is passionate about connecting with families and supporting the needs of diverse student populations, especially those who are transitioning into the American public school system for the first time.

Currently, Lismari works as an intake specialist for mental health organization Odyssey Behavioral Health and is a School Psychology practicum student for Osceola County Public Schools. Lismari has been working as an intake specialist for 2 years and began her practicum position in September 2022. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Lismari hopes to establish a connection with special education providers that strengthens her ability to support the delivery of their services and become equipped with data based intensive supports that target the needs of English Language learners.

This program will provide Lismari the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high-intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Lismari is hoping to work as a full time School Psychologist specifically serving ELL students.

03/20/2023

We are excited to introduce you to Matthew Kistler who received his undergraduate degree in 2011 from Temple University. Matthew decided to become a teacher because he wanted to assist students with disabilities in graduating from high school and become positive members in the community.

Matthew has been teaching for 9 years. Currently, Matthew works as a program/staffing specialist for Lake County Schools. For the past 9 years, he taught students with disabilities. While in Project Bridges 2.0, Matthew hopes to accomplish earning his Master’s degree in Exceptional Education in order to better provide services and advocate for students with disabilities.

This program will provide Matthew the knowledge and skills to be able to provide Collaborative Intensive Interventions to students with high-intensity needs. After graduating from UCF, Matthew is hoping to move back to his home state of Pennsylvania and continue working with students with disabilities.