Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/121369
Sarasota News Leader April 12, 2013 Page 54 PHOENIX ACADEMY DIRECTOR NAMED OAK PARK SCHOOL PRINCIPAL Sarasota County Superintendent of Schools Lori White announced April 1 that she has recommended Phoenix Academy Program Director Edwina Oliver as the new principal at Oak Park School, one of two district facilities dedicated entirely to exceptional student education. Oliver will succeed Ron Dipillo in the position. Dipillo was appointed assistant director for career and technical education at the Sarasota County Technical Institute, a news release says. Oliver, 41, is a Sarasota native and a graduate of Booker High School. She holds a bachelor's degree in specific learning disabilities and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of South Florida, the release adds. Edwina Oliver/Contributed photo She began her career in 1993 as a special education teacher in Palm Beach County and was Former Booker High Principal Constance named Boca Raton Rotary Teacher of the Year White-Davis, who supervised Oliver for several years, said in the release, "Ms. Oliver is in 1999. an exceptional and gifted instructional leader. That same year she returned to Sarasota to Her unique ability and personality to connect teach at Emma E. Booker Elementary School, with students and their well-being is inspirthe release notes. She was named Teacher of ing. Ms. Oliver's impact is also felt outside of the Year at Booker Elementary in 2000. the school by the way she communicates with In 2002 she joined the Booker Middle School parents and the community." faculty, serving as a resource reading teacher for students with disabilities, an exceptional student education liaison and the coordinator of the after-school program. "I am elated to be able to continue my pursuit of working with students with disabilities on a larger scale," Oliver said in the release. "I do believe that every step on my journey has led me to Oak Park, where I can continue to learn She was appointed assistant principal at Bookand grow as an instructional leader." er High School in 2007 then appointed program director of Phoenix Academy in 2012, Oliver's appointment is expected to be submitted for School Board approval this month. the release continues.