Promoting the improvement of the education & training of educational leaders through teaching, research, and service
Promoting the improvement of the education & training of educational leaders through teaching, research, and service
If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.
Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.
Are your customers raving about you on social media? Share their great stories to help turn potential customers into loyal ones.
Running a holiday sale or weekly special? Definitely promote it here to get customers excited about getting a sweet deal.
Have you opened a new location, redesigned your shop, or added a new product or service? Don't keep it to yourself, let folks know.
Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
Thank you to everyone who joined us today for the FAPEL Fall 2026 Meeting. We greatly appreciate your participation, thoughtful questions, and engagement throughout the morning.
In case you missed it, today’s program included FAPEL updates, important FLDOE FELE data and field updates, and several excellent presentations and discussions.
The agenda featured representatives from the Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention, the Office of Post-Secondary Assessment, Dr. Christopher Thomas, and Jessica Janasiewicz.
A special thanks to Dr. Christopher Thomas for his presentation, Centaurs, Cyborgs, and Clones: The Law and Ethics of AI in Schools. His session explored important legal, ethical, and professional considerations surrounding AI in education.
We also sincerely thank Jessica Janasiewicz for her timely presentation, The Climate of Advocacy in a Shifting Policy and Political Environment, which provided valuable context regarding Florida’s policy environment, legislative developments, and advocacy.
A special thanks as well to Dr. Sarah Hall, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention, Florida Department of Education, and her team for sharing important FELE and field updates
We also appreciate Michele White, FASA Executive Director, for highlighting the upcoming Discover ’27 Conference and opportunities to strengthen the connection between research and practice. FASA is currently inviting proposals for breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, and Research Hall presentations, creating multiple opportunities for researchers and practitioners to share work that can inform educational leadership across Florida. FASA
We want your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete the FAPEL Conference Evaluation. Your responses will help us strengthen future meetings and provide programming that best serves our members. Survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=3vcbdOXi30aNZ4JgffneqpWpQlriBEhIii8K9hXbuRVURE1ETlgzWFhGVlQxNkJaNUhPUTNSNkVNUi4uFAPEL
Spring Annual Conference at USF
Please also plan to join us for the FAPEL Spring Annual Conference at the University of South Florida College of Education – TECO.
Theme: From Inquiry to Impact: Research that Informs, Teaching that Transforms, and Service that Sustains Educational Leadership in FloridaDates:
Conference and Awards Banquet Registration:
This Registration link is forthcoming.
FAPEL Membership Payment Links$50.00 – Individual Membership
https://connect.intuit.com/pay/FloridaAssociationOfProfes/scs-v1-4add45c71e104487a7b0427bb9f1c956133042651ac440de9fd7ee3575d673961e7c6ed608f24e7f90ab629a66df4591-1?locale=EN_US&cta=saveandcopylink$200.00 – Institutional Membership
https://connect.intuit.com/pay/FloridaAssociationOfProfes/scs-v1-f63515adc7e34dae9a882e3fabd68af9cc82dc25ac0b445e8910f2f453afb1b3d94965b9b65c45c897162d2dcd9c7b0f-1?locale=EN_US&cta=saveandcopylinkThank you again for your continued involvement and support of FAPEL. We hope to see you at USF for our Spring Annual Conference.
-------------------------
FALL 2026 ANNUAL MEETING
October 5, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
ZOOM:
https://ucf.zoom.us/j/98117521073?pwd=3NF2tM5L9hku1lLMyuwaG47nCtE5gn.1
Meeting ID: 981 1752 1073
Passcode: 181061
9:00 a.m.-9:15 a.m.
FAPEL President's Welcome and Opening Remarks
FAPEL President Dr. Zorka Karanxha
Pearson: Dr. Heather S. Klesch, VP Educator Solutions for Licensing and Learning FASA Executive Director: Michele White
9:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
FAPEL Business Meeting
FAPEL President: Dr. Zorka Karanxha
FAPEL Secretary: Daniel Eadens
FAPEL Treasurer: Dr. Kevin Forehand
9:30 a.m.- 10:15 a.m.
FLDOE FELE Data and Updates
Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention:
Dr. Sarah Hall, Betsy Williamson
Office of Post-Secondary Assessment: Jenny Black, Phil Canto, Dr. Suleyman Olgar, Hope Bryant
10:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
BREAK
10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Session Session 1
Dr. Christopher Thomas
Centaurs, Cyborgs, and Clones: The Law and Ethics of AI in Schools
11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Session Session 2
Jessica Janasiewicz
FASA Advocacy: The climate of advocacy in shifting policy environment
12:00 p.m.-12:15 p.m.
FAPEL President’s Closing Remarks
Dr. Zorka Karanxha
Evaluation
------------------------------------
Dear FAPEL Community,
On behalf of the FAPEL Board of Directors and the FAPEL Nominating Committee (Professor Maysaa Barakat Chair, Professor Patricia Maslin Ostrowski, and Professor Debra Touchton) I am pleased to announce that the elections to fill the position of FAPEL Treasurer for 2026-2028 has been concluded.
Our gratitude goes to all candidates and to every FAPEL member who voted; your participation promotes the value and practice of democracy within our organization.
A total of 39 members participated in the online election ballot for Treasurer. Based on the votes, it is our pleasure to announce that Dr. Kevin Forehand will become FAPEL Treasurer for the two-year term ending in 2028. Dr. Forehand, as a member of the board, will assume his responsibilities starting immediately.
Warmest congratulations to Dr. Forehand!
Best,
Zorka Karanxha, FAPEL President
---------------------------------------------
Dear FAPEL Members, On behalf of the FAPEL Nomination Committee and with the approval of the Board of Directors (BOD), we invite you to participate in the upcoming election.
This election is for the Treasurer position and is based on the slate put forward by the Nomination Committee for the 2026-2028 term. Gratitude to the Nomination committee members for their efforts and for nominating outstanding candidates, and much appreciation to the candidates for accepting the nomination and for their commitment to FAPEL.
Each of the running candidates has provided a brief biographical statement, listed alphabetically, which is included within the voting ballot. The Florida Association of Professors of Educational Leadership voting ballot for the Board of Directors' (BOD) position of Treasurer, for two years (2026-2028) link is vote is here:
https://forms.gle/t14GwNWvcEzbKhWP9
The deadline for casting your ballot electronically is 11:59 p.m. (EDT), May 20, 2026. Election results will be shared with you and the FAPEL membership by June 1st, 2026, after which, the new Treasurer will assume their responsibilities on July 1st, 2026. All voting members are urged to exercise the right to vote. As stipulated in the FAPEL Bylaws, only full members may vote.
Accordingly, please do not share the links provided with others. If you have any questions, please contact Maysaa Barakat at barakatm@fau.eduOn behalf of the Nomination Committee, Very Sincerely,
Maysaa
---------------------------------------------------
Dear FAPEL Members,
We sincerely hope you enjoyed this year's FAPEL Spring Conference. It was a huge success! If you are able to attend, please take a moment to complete this conference evaluation: SPRING 2026 FAPEL Conference Feedback - Google Forms
FAPEL is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the position of Treasurer.
The Treasurer serves as FAPEL’s financial officer and plays a vital role in maintaining the organization’s financial health. Responsibilities include managing membership and registration revenues, overseeing financial accounts, ensuring accurate bookkeeping, coordinating reimbursements and deposits, providing monthly budget updates to the Board, and supporting all required nonprofit reporting. The Treasurer also serves as a signatory on FAPEL banking accounts. This position carries a two‑year term, beginning July 1.
The Nominating Committee Chair, Dr. Maysaa Barakat, invites all members to submit nominations using this link Nomination Form: ( https://forms.gle/r3rSvVzFW4mCxwDx8 )
We welcome nominations of colleagues or self‑nominations from members interested in serving in this important leadership role.
-----------------------------------------
Here’s the link for the FAPEL Conference and Awards Banquet Registration:
https://forms.gle/V28S1wUvir8zkndx6
Here is the link to pay this Registration Fee: https://connect.intuit.com/pay/FloridaAssociationOfProfes/scs-v1-a74ce76003834036aeb8f8d63c808c74679e6ac806e6443cb8490661574992bc525c698076234be7a35fffb32cadc607?locale=EN_US
Here is the link for the Hotel: Embassy Suites, by Hilton:
BOOKING LINK: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/fapel-meeting-at-usf/
---------------------------------------
FAPEL SPRING 2026 MEETING AGENDA
Navigating Shifting Policy and Informational Environments and Their Impact on Educational Leadership Preparation.
TECO, USF College of Education
March 2nd, 2026 from 9:00AM – 4:00PM
“A Call to Action: Addressing the Challenges of Leadership, Policy and Practice.”
9:00 am
President’s Welcome- Dr. Zorka Karanxha, FAPEL President
USF College of Education Associate Dean’s Welcome: Dr. Bill Black
Pearson Welcome: Dr. Heather S. Klesch, VP Educator Solutions for Licensing and Learning
FASA Welcome: Michelle White, FASA Executive Director
9:15 am - 9:45 am
FAPEL Business Meeting:
· President’s Report: Zorka Karanxha
· Treasurer’s Report: Daniel Reyes-Guerra
· Constitutional Changes: Vote Required
· FAPEL Research Initiative: Michelle White, Bill Black, Dan Eadens
9:45 am – 10:45 am
Keynote Speaker on Research on Policy Issues in Florida
Dr. Jose Castillo, Professor of School Psychology (https://www.usf.edu/education/faculty-staff/faculty-directory/castillo-jose.asp) Kelly Justice, Director of Institute for School-Community Partnerships, Integrated Services, and Child Mental Health and Education Policy, USF.
Is MTSS a process for special education eligibility determination, continuous improvement, or both?: Ask school leaders.
10:45 am - 11:00 am
BREAK
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
FLDOE Updates and Reports
Dr. Josey McDaniel, Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality
Dr. Sarah Hall, Ashley Harvey, Marsha Dixon
Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention
Dr. Suleyman Olgar, Jenny Black
Office of Post-Secondary Assessment
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
LUNCH –TECO Room
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Dr. Jason LaFrance, Associate Professor, Appalachian State University, (https://mcl.appstate.edu/p/lafrance)
From Overload to Optimization: How Generative AI Can Redefine Faculty Workflows
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Discussion on Issues and Policies on Improving Higher Education and K12 Collaboration
Panel:
Michelle White, FASA Executive Director
Dr. Daniel Reyes-Guerra, FAU Professor & FAPEL Treasurer
Dr. Bill Black, USF COEDU Associate Dean & FAPEL President Elect
Dr. Daniel Eadens, UCF Associate Professor & FAPEL Secretary
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Break
3:00 pm - 3:40 pm
Dr. Laura Boilini, Clinical Associate Professor & Program Director, University of North Florida
Practicing Art with Laura Boilini
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm
Discussion and Closing Remarks
Pressing Issues Moving Forward
--------------------------
The annual registration fee for the Conference and Banquet is $60.00. Attendance at the Banquet or the Conference or both requires payment of the $60.00 registration fee. This fee is non-refundable after February 15, 2026. The Spring Conference is open only to those with current Individual memberships or Institutional memberships, so be sure to also update your annual membership, if you have not already done so.
---------------------------
Here’s the link for the FAPEL Conference and Awards Banquet Registration:
https://forms.gle/V28S1wUvir8zkndx6
Here is the link to pay this Registration Fee: https://connect.intuit.com/pay/FloridaAssociationOfProfes/scs-v1-a74ce76003834036aeb8f8d63c808c74679e6ac806e6443cb8490661574992bc525c698076234be7a35fffb32cadc607?locale=EN_US
Here is the link for the Hotel: Embassy Suites, by Hilton:
BOOKING LINK: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/fapel-meeting-at-usf/
Book before: February 16, 2026
Hotel Location: 3705 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612
(813)-977-7066
Rooms & Rates
FAPEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026
President, Zorka Karanxha , University of South Florida (Karanxha@usf.edu)
President-Elect, William R. Black, University of South Florida University of South Florida (wrBlack@usf.edu)
Past President, Sheila Moore, University of Central Florida (Sheila.Moore@ucf.edu)
Secretary & Website Editor, Daniel Eadens, University of Central Florida (Daniel.Eadens@ucf.edu)
Treasurer, Daniel Reyes-Guerra, Florida Atlantic University (DReyes@fau.edu)
FAPEL is a non-profit organization that promotes the improvement of the education and training of educational leaders in the state of Florida through teaching, research, and service. Membership is open to all Florida educational leadership faculty, educational leaders, and graduate students.
$50.00 - Individual Membership
CLICK HERE:
$200.00 - Institutional Membership
CLICK HERE:
Be the first to hear about upcoming special events, and announcements
Florida Association of Professors of Educational Leadership
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.