Keynote Speaker: Jayne Ellspermann
Jayne Ellspermann has brought a lifetime of learning to Marion County students and has been recognized statewide and nationally for her best practices. In October, the principal of West Port High School was named 2015 National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and was also named Florida’s 2014 High School Literacy Leader of the Year by Just Read, Florida!
During her 10 years at West Port High School, Ellspermann has developed a college-going culture. She worked with College of Central Florida to implement Early College, a program that allows students to earn their Associate in Arts at the West Port campus before graduating high school. At West Port, lunchtime is often PowerHour, a student-empowerment initiative Ellspermann launched giving students autonomy over an hour of their school day for academic enrichment, open labs, clubs, and other creative opportunities. Three years of PowerHour has produced a more personalized and successful school environment: course failure has nearly disappeared, the graduation rate has jumped 15 points, and participation in activities has increased seven-fold to nearly 70 percent. West Port is an A school and boasts the highest test scores in the district.
A former law enforcement officer, Ellspermann joined Marion County Public Schools in 1980 as a high school social studies teacher. She rose through the ranks as testing specialist and assistant principal at two schools. She received her first principal appointment in 1992 and served in that capacity at Romeo Elementary, Osceola Middle, and West Port Middle schools before moving to West Port High in 2004.
Ellspermann and her husband, David, Marion County Clerk of Courts, have two daughters and five grandsons.
During her 10 years at West Port High School, Ellspermann has developed a college-going culture. She worked with College of Central Florida to implement Early College, a program that allows students to earn their Associate in Arts at the West Port campus before graduating high school. At West Port, lunchtime is often PowerHour, a student-empowerment initiative Ellspermann launched giving students autonomy over an hour of their school day for academic enrichment, open labs, clubs, and other creative opportunities. Three years of PowerHour has produced a more personalized and successful school environment: course failure has nearly disappeared, the graduation rate has jumped 15 points, and participation in activities has increased seven-fold to nearly 70 percent. West Port is an A school and boasts the highest test scores in the district.
A former law enforcement officer, Ellspermann joined Marion County Public Schools in 1980 as a high school social studies teacher. She rose through the ranks as testing specialist and assistant principal at two schools. She received her first principal appointment in 1992 and served in that capacity at Romeo Elementary, Osceola Middle, and West Port Middle schools before moving to West Port High in 2004.
Ellspermann and her husband, David, Marion County Clerk of Courts, have two daughters and five grandsons.