Marking Excellence with Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff

On this episode of Shanoff Shadows, Dr. Shanoff gets a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work, hustle, and heart it takes to keep our schools sparkling.A huge shoutout to Elvin, the incredible Head Custodian at Deerwood Elementary, who not only showed Dr. Shanoff the ropes but does so much more every single day. From keeping our campus clean to building meaningful connections with students, Elvin is truly the backbone of our school. Thank you for all you do to make Deerwood a place where students can thrive!

On this episode of Shanoff Shadows, Dr. Shanoff spends the day traveling from class to class with Omar, an eighth grader at Denn John Middle School whose academic achievements and personal growth truly shine.

In this episode, Dr. Shanoff shadows Moya Campbell, a truancy officer with our Student Services team, as she works behind the scenes to remove barriers, support attendance, and help students stay connected to school—because showing up can change everything.

On this episode of Marking Excellence, Dr. Shanoff talks to our 2026 School-Related Employee of the Year, Ms. Jessica Mintz. Ms. Mintz is a paraprofessional at St. Cloud Elementary School, and she is inspiring students from Pre-K through 5th grade to chase their dreams and become the best version of themselves.

Technology is reshaping how our students learn. On this episode, Dr. Shanoff sits down with one of our Top 10 Teacher of the Year Finalists, Mr. German Ortiz, to show what that looks like in action. Mr. Ortiz shares how he empowers students to take ownership of their learning by tracking their data digitally and reflecting on their growth in real time. Together, they dive into everything from setting healthy tech boundaries at home to simple ways teachers can bring more digital tools into their classrooms. This conversation also looks ahead at how our district is developing thoughtful guidelines for the use of AI in education.

It’s FFA Week, and we’re celebrating in a big way! Dr. Shanoff sits down with Ms. Kyndall Brown and three of her powerhouse students for a lively conversation about the world of agriculture: from hands‑on learning to the impact FFA programs are having across our schools.And there’s even bigger news: Dr. Shanoff and Ms. Brown announce a new pole barn in development for Harmony Middle School, a project that will open the door to even more real‑world learning opportunities for her students.Tune in for inspiration, student voices, and a look at how agricultural education is growing right here in our district.

Dr. Shanoff went back to fifth grade for a day to shadow Devonna, a student at Hickory Tree Elementary School.During his time in Ms. Weeks' class, he participated in vertical learning activities that challenged students to use context clues to craft high-level answers about the text.

In this episode, Dr. Shanoff works alongside Ashton Terry, one of our Senior Managers for Research, Evaluation, and Accountability, to highlight how data-driven practices are improving student achievement across our district.Ashton leads strategic projects such as early identification of “slip‑back” students, enabling our school teams to intervene sooner and deliver the support students need to maintain strong academic momentum.

Every year, we have the privilege of sharing our progress as a school district with our business partners and community at the State of Education event. On this episode, Dr. Shanoff and School Board Chair Heather Kahoun highlight the incredible strides we’ve made and how we’re continuing on the path toward becoming an A-rated district.But here’s the best part: you’re an important part of this journey! Education is a partnership, and families play a vital role in helping our students succeed. If you’re looking for ways to make a difference, consider:✅ Volunteering your time: https://bit.ly/SDOCVolunteers✅ Becoming a business partner – https://bit.ly/SDOCPartnersinEducationTogether, we can ensure every student has the support they need to thrive. Thank you for being part of our SDOC family!

On this episode of Shanoff Shadows, Dr. Shanoff explores the HOPE program and Team Sports with Coach Davis at Professional and Technical High School. Coach Davis has been instrumental in helping students discover new passions, build connections, and experience the benefits of physical activity. His class has had such a positive impact that many students now choose to spend their lunch breaks engaged in sports, strengthening both their skills and their sense of community.

Our Facilities team is managing dozens of projects across the district, from upgrading HVAC systems to constructing brand-new schools from the ground up.In this episode, we take you behind the scenes with Tim Gough as he shares what it’s like to help bring the new "AAA" High School to life on Nova Road. Discover the challenges, excitement, and pride that come with building a school that will serve generations to come.

Our Transportation team isn’t just focused on getting students to school safely and on time—they’re also driving innovation across the state. In this episode, Orville Watson shares how our district is leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic resources to optimize routes, improve efficiency, and elevate the transportation experience for students, families, and staff.Want to learn more about the rigorous safety standards our buses meet? We’re including a throwback to one of last year’s Shanoff Shadows episodes, which dives into the intense 60-day inspection process that keeps our fleet in top shape: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/3KpDWnnT2Vb.

We are just days away from the start of a new school year. In this episode, Dr. Shanoff and Principal of Discovery Intermediate School, Mr. Gary Dunn, discuss everything from transportation to school lunches to volunteering at your child's school to the importance of being connected and involved at school. We look forward to welcoming you back on the first day of school!

At the end of every school year, our high schools come together to celebrate the academic and athletic successes of our student-athletes. Our district Coordinator of Athletics, Ryan Adams, shares some of the highlights from this year's Athletic Awards.

Our College and Career Counselors provide specialized support to our students so they can achieve their post-secondary dreams! On this episode, Ms. Soto from Liberty High School shows Dr. Shanoff the various ways she communicates important information with her students.

As our county continues to grow in population, we are continuing to build new schools while renovating and performing regular maintenance on others. Many of these projects are funded through your taxpayer dollars.  Today, Dr. Shanoff is joined by Dave Sharma, our Chief Facilities Officer, to discuss the various projects that your taxes are paying for.

In this episode, Dr. Shanoff shadows Cynthia Franklin, one of our school psychologists. Ms. Franklin works with various schools, including Lakeview Elementary, to support the mental health and educational development of all students. 

Joe Castillo found a passion for education after helping his son during the pandemic. He currently works with the ESOL students at Lakeview Elementary School and is finishing up his master's degree so he can begin teaching full-time.

Mrs. Goerner's impact extends schoolwide as she coaches a team of 21 math teachers and supports nearly 3,000 students through small group instruction, after-school tutoring programs, and math boot camps. She discusses how these initiatives and more have helped improve math scores across all grade levels.

March is National Arts in Our Schools Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the vital role that arts education plays in our students' development. On this episode, Dr. Shanoff is joined by our district's Fine and Performing Arts Resource Specialists Dr. Chris Burns and Dr. Joseph D’Ambrosi to discuss the benefits of arts in education.

Research shows that when parents are actively involved, students experience positive outcomes such as higher levels of academic achievement, better attendance, stronger social skills, improvements in behavior, and an increase in motivation. Dr. Annette Kalloo-Molina joins Dr. Shanoff to share some advice on how to stay involved in your child's education.

On this episode, Dr. Shanoff shadows Mrs. Kodie Petrangeli at Canoe Creek K-8. As an instructional coach, Mrs. Petrangeli is responsible for supporting K-8 teachers and students in reading, writing, and social studies.

In this episode, Dr. Shanoff shadows Tohopekaliga High School's Media Center Specialist for a day full of reading, laminating, and supporting tiger students and staff.

On this episode of Shanoff Shadows, Dr. Shanoff joins Christopher Shaw from Voyager K-8. As a school tech, Mr. Shaw goes above and beyond to ensure all forms of technology are online and enhance the educational experience for all students.

Have you ever considered working for the School District of Osceola County? We have more than 8,000 employees, and the majority of them are not teachers. We have everything from bookkeepers to secretaries to school nutrition services employees to maintenance workers to bus route coordinators and so much more. So consider joining the SDOC family because there's a place for you!

Did you know that our buses go through a rigorous monthly inspection process to ensure they are safe for our students and drivers? In this episode of Shanoff Shadows, you will learn about that process from one of the most thorough mechanics in the state of Florida.

Voyager K-8 is our first K-8 school to adopt the Leader in Me framework. Helen Reid discusses how the curriculum helps students develop the skills needed to be successful leaders in their communities.

There are so many components to the college application process. Mrs. Malfara, our coordinator of college and career counseling, sits down with Dr. Shanoff to help simplify the process for students and parents. 

The learning gains and progress that our district has made over the last year have been a joint effort from students, teachers, staff, parents, and the surrounding community. Collaboration has played a huge role in that progress, which is why Dr. Shanoff is hosting a series of District Dialogues this fall. You can view the complete schedule here: https://bit.ly/DistrictDialogues2024.

Parents, we know that there are a lot of resources out there to guide you and child through the school year. On this episode, Dr. Shanoff sits down with Dr. Francisco Rivera Mieles to discuss the best ways to communicate with your child's teachers, to track their grades, and to help them gain extra reading or math practice at home.

Your principals, assistant principals, and custodians have been working hard throughout the summer to prepare for the new school year. Now, it's your turn to prepare! In this episode, Dr. Shanoff and Mr. Chris Todd, principal of Celebration High School discuss new policies for high school schedule changes, Meet the Teacher nights, bus route information, free and reduced lunch, and more.

We’re less than a month away from the first day of school and many of our students will be transitioning to middle school or high school for the first time. Principal Monique Machado has some tips to help parents and students ease into these transitions.

Did you know the best thing your student can do during summer break is read for 20 minutes every day? Reading will help them continue to build a strong foundation for success across all subjects.

Before the end of the school year, Dr. Shanoff visited Celebration High School to help Mr. Irving Reyes prepare his students for their final exams and industry certifications.

During the spring semester, School Board Vice Chair Terry Castillo hosted a community conversation about educational gaps and how the school district is addressing those gaps to ensure all students receive a quality education. This podcast episode expands on that conversation.

Dr. Shanoff attempts to learn ballet and jazz with Mrs. Burns at St. Cloud High School. Will he be successful in his attempt to master the grand jete? Listen to his latest episode of Shanoff Shadows to find out!

From FAST testing to end-of-course exams to AP Exams, our students will be taking multiple tests throughout the month of May. Dr. Shanoff knows that all these tests can be overwhelming for students, which is why he invited Dr. Leah Torres onto the podcast to talk about ways to overcome testing anxiety and provide some words of encouragement to all students.

Dr. Shanoff is thrilled to introduce you to our 2025 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Vanessa Gomez. Ms. Gomez is a Medical Assistant Instructor for Osceola Technical College and her students have achieved a 100% certification pass rate and graduation rate at the conclusion of her program. She discusses this and more on the latest episode of Marking Excellence!

Dr. Shanoff sits down with Mrs. Dawn Parker to talk about being named the 2024 School-Related Employee of the Year.

Ride alone with Dr. Shanoff as he delivers mail to various schools and departments. You can read about his experience on the RoundUp blog at osceolaschools.net.

Today, Dr. Shanoff is joined by Jake and Sara, two high school seniors who are part of his advisory council. During the first semester, Dr. Shanoff tasked them with creating a collaborative plan that would foster a greater sense of student connection across the School District of Osceola County. The seniors will be presenting this plan at the board meeting on February 27, 2024. You can tune in at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n12USZmr_Wo.

It's time to prepare for kindergarten! Dr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, sits down with Dr. Shanoff to discuss some of the activities and routines you can start establishing now so they are ready for a successful first day. To register your child, visit https://bit.ly/SDOCStudentRegistration.

School Board Vice Chair Terry Castillo recently held a town hall with parents and employees regarding safety and security. Since safety and security are a top priority for our school district, Ms. Castillo brought those questions to Dr. Shanoff. In this episode you will learn some of the policies and procedures in place to promote safety on all of our campuses.

Safety and Security is a top priority of our school district. In honor of School Resource Officer Day, Dr. Shanoff visited Partin Settlement Elementary to shadow Deputy Russ. You can read a brief reflection of his experience at www.osceolaschools.net.

Dr. Shanoff trades his shirt and tie for a t-shirt and sneakers as he heads back to the classroom to experience a day in the lives of our students. Listen to his experience with Jahmoy, a senior at Poinciana High School, as he engages in Entrepreneurship, English 4, and Marketing. You can also read Dr. Shanoff's reflection on the Osceola Roundup blog at https://bit.ly/ShanoffShadowsBlog.

Dr. Shanoff heads back to the classroom in this episode of Shanoff Shadows! Working alongside Ms. Torres at St. Cloud Elementary School, he helps her conduct various small group interventions centered around phonics, central idea, and reading comprehension.

Seniors, the FAFSA is your first step for securing money for college as it can open you up to college-based funding and various scholarships. The federal form opens in December and Mrs. Danielle Malfara is here to talk about everything you need to know when completing it. She also discusses other trusted sources for locating scholarships.

In this episode, Dr. Shanoff discusses some of the things he's accomplished and learned as the superintendent of schools. He has spent a large part of this time visiting schools and meeting with parents, students, community members, and staff to understand the strengths of our district as well as areas for improvement.

Our school nurses are always busy attending to students and their needs whether that be receiving medication, helping a headache subside, treating an injury, or putting on a bandaid. On today's episode of Shanoff Shadows, you will here about Kaitlyn Griffin's role at Zenith Accelerated Learning Academy where she is responsible for children as young as six months old to high school students and staff. You can read Dr. Shanoff's reflection of his experience at https://bit.ly/RoundUpBlog.

The district's Transportation team is so vital to the work that we do! Every day our bus drivers and attendants are responsible for transporting more than 26,000 students to and from school safely. On today's episode, Dr. Shanoff joins Nardelly on route 243 to experience a day in her shoes. You can read Dr. Shanoff's reflection of his experience at https://bit.ly/RoundUpBlog.