Training Is Ongoing at City's Schultz Center; Educators Are Learning Innovative Ways to Reach Their Students

Beginning of article

Byline: MARY KELLI PALKA

Some are new teachers, first year or two on the job. Others have worked in the field for decades. Some are coaches. Others are principals or district administrators.

All come to the Schultz Center for Teaching & Leadership in Jacksonville or log on to its Web site to continue developing their skills.

The ultimate goal is to help improve the education of North Florida's students.

Each day at the center is different. Some of the educator/students log in through video conferencing. Some find courses online. But hundreds are often in the building off Art Museum Drive for one-on-one training.

One recent day, Nov. 19, was typical.

8:45 a.m.

Nine principals are gathered in a room. What they say in this room as part of the Schultz Principal Academy stays in this room. It's where they exchange ideas on how to manage their schools, lead their teachers and make sure students are educated.

Four of the principals, among them Michele Floyd Hatcher from Westview K-8 and Jackie Simmons Jr. from Ed White High, are sitting in a circle of chairs. Five others are in an outer …