Principal of the Year Finalists
Karen Furno
Avalon MS
Number of years in education: 32
Number of years in OCPS: 32
Favorite school tradition: New Student Orientation
What is your why?
When I became an administrator and started observing teachers, I saw things that were so smart, so innovative, and so effective – things I had never done or even known about that would have made me even more effective with my students. This reinforced for me the importance of supporting classroom teachers.
Someone with your talents could work anywhere. Why OCPS?
I stayed in OCPS because of the people. I believe education is the foundation of our society, requiring people with passion, talent and a true love for this calling. I encounter people like this every day in OCPS.
A teacher you know is considering going into school leadership. What would you tell them?
Each leadership role requires different skills and comes with its own set of challenges. While many people only think of “school leadership” as principals or assistant principals, there are many other leadership roles to consider, including instructional coaches and team leaders. I would encourage them to learn more about the roles in which they are interested by talking to people in these positions about their experiences, the expectations of the role, and the joys as well as the challenges of the job so that the teacher can find the best match for their skills and goals.
Kelly Paduano
Timber Creek HS
Number of years in education: 21
Number of years in OCPS: 18
Favorite school tradition:
Our Prism Concert, an incredible Holiday Concert featuring all of our Performing Arts Programs.
What is your why?
The students are the reason I do what I do each day. I love seeing them grow into incredible young adults and I know they are going to make the world a better place.
What piece of work advice would you share with other educators?
Every child is different with different needs. Our job as educators is to diagnose what those needs are and then find a way to provide them. Doctors don’t treat all of their patients the same and neither should we.
Someone with your talents could work anywhere. Why OCPS?
OCPS has always been incredibly supportive of myself and my family. I began my career in OCPS and there is no other place I would want to be.
Robert Strenth
Prairie Lake ES
Number of years in education: 26
Number of years in OCPS: 26
Favorite school tradition:
The Great Pumpkin Read-In. It is a great school family event that combines literacy, games, and STEAM activities with a character parade and candy giveaway.
What piece of work advice would you share with other educators?
Be the teacher you wish had when you were in school. Be the principal or assistant principal that you wish you had when you were a teacher. Never forget we are servants and we only have a moment in time to be with our students and each other. What is your legacy?
A teacher you know is considering going into school leadership. What would you tell them?
Be secure in your core values and convictions because you will be challenged from all sides. Make sure you are prepared for the time commitment school leadership demands beyond the duty day. And be certain you have a servant’s heart. People quickly figure out who are in leadership positions because of their own egos and desire to move up and those who are in it to make learning experiences better for students and work experiences better for teachers and staff.