Monica Williams, Ed.S.

We welcomed @EducationFL Commissioner Dr. @HenmackIII to the School District of Palm Beach County today. Commissioner Mack witnessed learning in action at Santaluces Community High School and West Boynton Middle School. From our top-tier choice and career academies, to hands-on classroom innovation, our students and staff showed off what makes our 'A' rated District your best choice.

Exciting news is unfolding at Santaluces High School, as the school celebrated its new Scaling the Future of Finance program, with help from the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County and Bank of America. The four-year Finance Academy equips students with a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum aligned directly with global financial standards. This academy is another example of how students can power their future in the School District of Palm Beach County, which continues to design pathways that empower students to build real-world confidence, dream boldly, and secure in-demand jobs. You can apply for the program, or any other choice and career academy for the 2027-2028 school year, by visiting mypbchoiceapp.com.

LESS THAN A WEEK UNTIL THE CHOICE APPLICATION DEADLINE 📣 Our students, in their own words, share why the School District of Palm Beach County is their best choice. Time is running out to apply for 330+ Choice and Career Academy programs! The deadline is Friday, January 30, 2026, for next school year. Find out more: palmbeachschools.org/choice

This month, we celebrate the great! 🌟🎉🍎 Each day, we'll introduce you to one of the incredible finalists for the Celebrate the Great Awards, which will be presented in partnership with the @EducationFdnPBC on January 29, 2026. Next up in the principal category, meet Dr. Tameka Robinson, principal at Santaluces Community High School and South Region finalist for 2026 Principal of the Year. Dr. Robinson says when she started at Santaluces, the school's graduation rate was 83%. Now, it is up to 95%. One assistant principal says, "she gets in the trenches with us. She's always in the classroom." The District looks forward to celebrating all of the Celebrate the Great finalists and announcing the winners later this month.

The School District of Palm Beach County was honored to host United States Deputy Secretary of Labor @Sonderling47, and Director of Workforce Initiatives Mr. Troy Selberg this week, as they toured some of our fantastic Choice and Career Academy programs. Mr. Sonderling and Mr. Selberg visited with students and staff at Santaluces Community High School, West Boynton Middle School, and Historic Carver Technical Education Center. They travel to communities across the United States, looking at how schools are preparing students to join the workforce, and our schools are leading the way. As a graduate of the School District of Palm Beach County himself, Mr. Sonderling was extremely proud and impressed by the programs and opportunities available in the District, and said it is exactly what he wants implemented across the country. "It's amazing seeing the county and the public school system that I graduated from and how innovative it is, and how Palm Beach County is really leading the way to get students trained to actual jobs, to actually get in the workforce," he said. Thank you to these leaders for choosing to visit the School District of Palm Beach County, and experiencing why we are your BEST choice.

Celebrate the Great - South Region Finalists It was a day of hugs, high fives, and even some tears, as four amazing educators in the South Region were surprised to learn they were recognized for their work as part of the Celebrate the Great awards. Watch the emotional moments they learned about the big honor! Congratulations to: • South Region Principal of the Year: Dr. Tameka Robinson – Santaluces Community High School • South Region Assistant Principal of the Year: Shari Cirillo – Blue Lake Elementary School • South Region Teacher of the Year: LaWanna S. Jackson – Galaxy E3 Elementary School • South Region School-Related Employee of the Year: Victor Gonzalez – Congress Middle School Winners will be announced at the Celebrate the Great Awards in January 2026.