Matthew J. Fitzpatrick recently announced he would be a candidate for Orange County School Board District 7.
Fitzpatrick provided The Apopka Voice with this statement:
Matthew J. Fitzpatrick
"I originally went into education because I wanted to help students during the formative years of their lives. I went into administration because I figured I could help even more students by helping their teachers find success in their classrooms. I am now seeking the District 7 seat on the Orange County School Board because I believe I have the heart, the message, and the experience that can help even more students, teachers, and schools find success all across our school district. I’ve been in education for 23 years—12 as a teacher, and 11 as an administrator. I’ve been a teacher and administrator at Apopka Memorial MS, Ocoee HS, Boone HS, Apopka HS, and now Orange Technical College – Westside Campus in Winter Garden. I’ve also served for two years as the District Athletic Director over athletics and extracurricular activities at all High Schools, Middle Schools, and Elementary Schools."
"I firmly believe that it takes great teachers to make great schools. Great teachers change the lives of their students for the better. Without a doubt, as I have worked all around our county, I have come in contact with some of the best teachers that Orange County has to offer. As I talk to these great teachers, all of them lament our current teacher evaluation system that only recognized 2.4% of Orange County teachers as highly effective this past year. We can do better. We must cast aside the micromanaging methods of the Marzano Teacher Evaluation system and set our teachers free to share their passion and expertise with all of their students…doing so in a safe, academically inspiring environment that truly prepares them for their future. We must resist the shallow focus on high-stakes testing and rediscover the powerful skills of creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. Great teachers can take our students to those higher places in education. We must take care of our teachers…especially the great ones…they are the ones who take care of our students."
Voters can meet Fitzpatrick at the CPS SportsPlex on Wednesday, May 18, from 5-7 PM.
