Schools & Kids
Thursday, June 18, 2026 · Columbia County
UF Accounting Professor Jennifer Wu Tucker Named 2026 Research Foundation Professor
UF accounting professor Jennifer Wu Tucker earned designation as a 2026 Research Foundation Professor, recognizing her work on artificial intelligence and financial reporting.
Rockledge High Resource Officer Named Florida's Top School Employee
Chris Hattaway, a Rockledge High resource officer and school alumnus, won Florida's top award for school employees. He created mental health programs, introduced a therapy dog, and organized community support for hundreds of families.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
UF Eyes $500M Engineering Boom to Tackle Florida Tech Shortage
The University of Florida is pushing for $500 million in state funding to expand engineering facilities, aiming to supercharge STEM education amid Florida's booming tech sector. The proposal targets workforce gaps in high-demand fields like data science and advanced manufacturing. With Gainesville at the epicenter, UF's multibillion-dollar building spree could reshape the state's innovation landscape.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Florida Senate OKs Bill Capping Teacher Tenure at 4 Years
In a bold move to elevate classroom performance, the Florida Senate has passed legislation limiting teacher tenure to just four years while mandating merit-based evaluations. The measure, aimed at statewide public school gains, reignites a decade-old debate on accountability versus job security. Backed by GOP leaders, it heads to the House amid teacher union pushback.
Thursday, June 18, 2026