|
Dr. Matthew J. Welker received the Florida Department of Education's 2003 Outstanding Assistant Principal Award yesterday during the 2003 Florida Association of School Administrators Assistant Principals' Conference at the Renaissance Worldgate Hotel in Kissimmee. Welker, who is currently principal of Nautilus Middle School, received the award for his work as assistant principal at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High from 1998 until June 2003. As assistant principal, Welker worked diligently to increase academic success at Krop Senior High by streamlining the curriculum, arranging special FCAT classes for students who needed them and creating opportunities for minority and female students. A peer mentorship and tutorial program was established to provide additional instructional support after school and on Saturdays to students within the target populations. Welker has been with the Miami-Dade school district since 1981, having begun his career as a science teacher at Miami Northwestern Senior High. He was named chair of the school's science department that same year. Welker later was resident science teacher at the Dade Academy for the Teaching Arts at Miami Beach Senior High, then served as assistant principal at Miami Carol City Senior High, Coral Gables Senior High and Horace Mann Middle, before taking the position at Krop. Welker, an avid runner, is active in promoting healthful living and supporting community causes. "I believe excellence is a journey in which I am both a spectator and a participant," said Welker. "I observe excellence in the daily performance of teachers who approach their craft as both engineers and artists, and I see it in the faces of students who approach their own learning as both adventurers and dreamers." Welker holds a doctorate in education, administration & supervision from Florida International University. For more information, contact Welker at 305-532-3481. ### 03-MV/057/JJS |
