Education and community leaders came together to share the key education issues facing Collier County and the State of Florida. GNL President, John Hannsz, opened the day by sharing an issue paper that he and Dick Phelan wrote to provide an informative context. The planning committee gave an overview and used the continuum of learning from Birth to Post Career to build the framework for the day.

Dr. Kamela Patton, Superintendent of Collier County Public Schools, and David Lawrence, a statewide leader in Early Learning, discussed the key issues in the Birth to Pre-K and K-12 phases of education.

A highlight of the day was our tour of Avalon Elementary, East Naples Middle, Golden Gate High School and Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology learning first-hand from educators, students and community leaders about the challenges and opportunities in education today.

State, regional and local post- secondary educators were part of the closing panels and shared the post- secondary career pathways that are available to students as well as the volunteer opportunities that are available in the post-career phase of life.To learn how to volunteer, please contact GNL Education Peer Advisor, Susan McManus at smcmanus@championsforlearning.org.

Susan McManus

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