FDLA 2021 Annual Conference (Virtual):
Theme: Distance Learning: Raising the Bar for K-20
September 30-October 2, 2020
FDLA Conference Program
Quick View Schedule
FDLA Conference Schedule with Abstracts
Take a look at some of the photos taken from the 2020 Virtual Conference.
FAMTE/FDLA 2020 Virtual Conference Photos
Conference Keynotes
John Opper, Jr., Ph.D.,
Executive Director – Distance Learning & Student Services
As Executive Director for Distance Learning and Student Services for the Florida Virtual Campus, Dr. Opper oversees the operation of the distance learning and student support services offered through the Florida Virtual Campus. Dr. Opper interacts regularly with state policymakers, education leaders, community agencies, educational entities, and industry regarding issues pertaining to technology and education, and participates in creating statewide distance learning policy and programs affecting Florida’s schools, colleges, and universities. Dr. Opper has 13 years of experience working for the Postsecondary Education Planning Commission as a Policy Analyst and Director. He served as Executive Director of the Florida Distance Learning Consortium for 12 years until its merger with the Florida Virtual Campus in 2012. He has authored policy studies and recommendations in the area of undergraduate education, academic libraries, funding policy, and educational technology. In addition, he has served on a variety of state, regional and national workgroups and boards. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University, a Masters in Education from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University.
Dr. Jon Prince grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s and a Masters in Elementary Education. After a year of teaching elementary school, Dr. Prince moved to Palm Beach County and taught middle school science. He completed his Specialist’s Degree and Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University in 2002. Dr. Prince worked as an assistant principal in urban and failing schools in both middle and high school. In 2003, Dr. Prince was appointed principal at Verde Elementary in Boca Raton, Florida. In 2004, Dr. Prince was selected as principal at Palm Beach Gardens High School, a large failing urban school in Palm Beach County, Florida. In 2005, the school emerged a “B” and Dr. Prince was recognized by the State as one of the Turnaround Principals of the Year.
Dr. Prince continued his work in urban schools from 2005-2015 and has worked in struggling schools primarily in Hispanic, African-American and Haitian communities, all with improved academic achievement and increased graduation rates.
In the summer of 2015, Dr. Prince accepted the position of Deputy Superintendent of St. Lucie Public Schools. Dr. Prince has assisted with orchestrating the Superintendent’s vision of accountability, high standards, and rigor in our public schools. In three years, SLPS soared from 45th in overall academic performance to 22nd out of 67 school districts, the highest in the history of the district. In addition, the graduation rate improves from 76% in 2015 to 92% over 3 years, with three consecutive years exceeding 90% and ranking as one of the highest graduation rates in the State.
Dr. Ruthmae Sears
Associate Professor at University of South Florida
As a result of COVID-19, schools implemented emergency remote instruction. The shift from face-to-face classroom instruction to an online setting was indeed a new terrain for teacher preparation programs’ clinical experiences opportunities. Hence, this presentation will describe the policies, practices, and challenges of facilitating clinical experiences online for secondary mathematics.
Biography: Dr. Sears’s research focuses on curriculum issues, the development of reasoning and proof skills, clinical experiences in secondary mathematics, and the integration of technology in the teaching and learning of mathematics. She has presented nationally and internationally and has published in leading mathematics education journals, such as Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, ZDM: The International Journal on Mathematics Education, MathAMATYC Educator, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Perspective of Mathematics Education (APME). She also coordinates developmental mathematics courses and the undergraduate and master’s degree programs in mathematics education.
Dr. Sears is actively engaged in scholarly activities. She is the principal investigator for the NSF- IUSE funded collaborative grant (#1726362) entitled “Attaining Excellence in Secondary Mathematics Clinical Experiences with a Lens on Equity“. Dr. Sears is also a co-principal investigator for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, and key personnel for the NSF funded grant (#1525574) Systemic Transformation of Education through Evidence-Based Reforms.
In addition to her research activities, Dr. Sears is the co-chair of the Network of STEM Education Centers (NSEC) Annual Meeting, and the APLU- Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership sub-research action cluster (RAC) leader for clinical experiences that utilize co-teaching and co-planning strategies. Dr. Sears is also the co-chair for the Accelerating Systemic Change Network (ASCN) in STEM Higher Education Working group for Equity and Inclusion, and the University of South Florida Representative for the Bay View Alliance-Diversity Equity and Inclusion Working Group. Additionally, she is the associate editor for the NCTM journal, Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PreK-12 (MTLT), for the high school grade band. Dr. Sears is also the Florida Department of Education – State Course Numbering System (SCNS) Discipline Coordinator in the field of Mathematics Education. Currently, Dr. Sears serves as the chair of the University of South Florida – College of Education Faculty Policy Council Ad-hoc Committee for the Faculty Constitution. Dr. Sears is also a board member for The Bahamas’ PACE Foundation. In her spare time, she volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay.
Conference Information
THEME: Distance Learning: Raising the Bar for K-20
The Florida Distance Learning Association’s (FDLA) 2020 Annual Conference is the premier event for professionals in the distance learning industry in Florida. This year’s conference promises to deliver another exciting and informative program that will bring together distance learning practitioners within Florida.
The format of this event allows attendees to learn about relevant topics from many different points of view. Sessions will be targeted to the K-12 audience, higher education, and virtually all distance learning stakeholders. The moderate size makes it possible for attendees to actively participate. This conference is an opportunity to share ideas, learn about distance learning programs and products, and gain a better understanding of the field. Network with other distance learning colleagues and exchange innovative ideas. FDLA 2020 will offer you and your staff keynote speakers, panel discussions, poster sessions, and breakout sessions on current topics and research in online learning, and vendors exhibiting an array of distance learning technologies and services. This conference is for K-12 and higher education administrators and teachers from both public and private online schools/programs. Come be a part of our energetic and growing community of practice!
Contact Information
Angie Su, FDLA and Transformation Journal Editor, Conference Agenda & Program, shuifang@nova.edu
Brian Marchman, Institutional Membership, marchman@ufl.edu
Nancy Swenson, Nancy.Swenson@ucf.edu
JoAnn Glenn, Sponsorship & Exhibits, joanne.m.glenn@gmail.com
Jeanne Ziemba, Conference Planning and Webmaster, Jeanne.Ziemba@stlucieschools.org
Victoria Brown, FDLA Journal Editorial Panel and Conference Planning, vbrown22@fau.edu
Jamie Manburg, Conference Planning, and sponsorship, jmanburg@nova.edu
