The Writers' Realm

Calling all Tampa Entrepreneurs! 🗣️ Join the FREE virtual workshop on June 22 to learn about Tampa's Entrepreneur Support Hub Microgrant program. Designed to support low and moderate-income entrepreneurs and small businesses at various stages of growth, this program provides direct financial assistance and expanded access to capital. This is your opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance before applying.

📅 June 22 | 12:30pm-1:30pm
💻 Virtual via Microsoft Teams
🔗 tampa.gov/EOGrantWorkshop

⚠️ Florida has been ranked last again, this time for abandoning public schools and the students they serve.

A new report from the Network for Public Education - NPE reveals Florida received the lowest score in the country, earning just 14 out of 102 possible points. The state also lost every possible point in the school funding category, ranking near the bottom nationally for school funding and educator pay.

Florida can't lead on education from last place.

Read the full report and see how Florida compares to other states: https://bit.ly/3S7q0gN

Thousands of U.S. public-school employees have received layoff warnings as the nation’s education system grapples with mounting financial pressures.

🏫 Read more: https://bit.ly/440MX89

We're excited to share that the Delivering Innovative Vocational Education through Virtual Reality Technology (DIVE-VRT) program is featured in the Spring 2026 issue of USF Magazine! 🎉

The story highlights the innovative program that is using virtual reality and skilled trades training to help young adults with disabilities build workforce skills, gain confidence, and explore meaningful career pathways. Hear from Chase Bernard, a recent graduate of the program, who graciously shared his story and experience.

The work of DIVE-VRT reflects our department's commitment to creating inclusive opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their goals and thrive in their communities.

We are proud of the faculty, staff, students, and community partners who make programs like this possible.

Read the story at this link: https://usfalumni.org/stay-connected/usf-magazine-official/virtual-reality-job-training-creates-career-paths-young-adults-disabilities



Florida Center for Inclusive Communities - FCIC LAUNCH at USF

🚨 BEING EVALUATED BY SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER DONE YOUR JOB IS ONE OF THE STRANGEST PARTS OF TEACHING

Think about what that actually means.

A person who has not managed a classroom in years, or possibly ever, walks in with a laptop and a rubric. They sit in the back. They watch you teach for 45 minutes.

Then they score you on whether your objective was visible, whether you used the approved engagement strategy, whether your transitions were smooth, whether every student appeared to be on task at every moment.

And that score goes in your file.

And if the score is not high enough, you get a plan for improvement. Written by the person who just spent 45 minutes watching you do a job they cannot do.

In what other profession does this happen?

The surgeon is not evaluated by someone who has never performed surgery.

The attorney is not scored on a rubric by someone who has never practiced law.

But the teacher, who holds 30 children's academic futures in her hands every single day, is evaluated by someone whose main qualification is that they got promoted out of the classroom.

And then everyone wonders why teachers feel disrespected.

It is not a mystery.

Signed, a former teacher who was evaluated by people she would never take teaching advice from.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNLC6R1L

A new law that requires a course on insurance and personal finance in Florida schools could have recent graduates making $36K right out of school. https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-grads-could-make-36k-right-out-of-high-school-under-new-law/