Greetings:
It is with great honor, pride and humility that I continue to serve the students, parents, and community members of District 1. As the school year nears the closing months, I want to again thank and commend you for your work in improving the learning and lives of our students and uplift of our community. This school year has seen its share of challenges, but they were met with great success. I am extremely proud of the work that is being done by our students, teachers, district and school leaders, parents, and community stakeholders. It has also brought with it our serving witness to challenges and tragedies near and far, and our collective resolve and resilience to rise above them all.
As we near the summer months, we want to continue to encourage our students to prepare and remain engaged in educational enrichment so that we can keep this momentum and continue on our journey to improve the lives of our youth. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. I look forward to your continued support, encouragement, and efforts.
Let’s Go!
Educationally,
Steve Gallon III
School Board Vice Chair, District 1
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Dr. Gallon continues to be actively engaged in his role as a policy maker as he successfully proffered School Board agenda items that received approval and support from the Board at the January 13, 2021, February 10, 2021, and March 17, 2021 School Board Meetings.
Dr. Gallon's items addressed the following:
H-15: PROPOSED 2021 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM OF THE GREATER FLORIDA CONSORTIUM OF SCHOOL BOARDS
(to read this item in full, please click on the link below)
H-13: 2021-2026 MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BLUEPRINT
(to read this item in full, please click on the link below)
H-5: THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZES THE 5000 ROLE MODELS OF EXCELLENCE PROJECT CLASS OF 2021 WILSON SCHOLARS
(to read this item in full, please click on the link below)
H-21: CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(to read this item in full, please click on the link below)
H-3: REQUEST APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 21-007 OF THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING MRS. VALTENA BROWN FOR HER 33 YEARS OF COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
(to read this item in full, please click on the link below)
H-17: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIPT, PLAN AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR NEARLY $1.1 BILLION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021
(to read this item in full, please click on the link below)
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Congratulations to the Newly Elected Chair of
Council of Urban Boards of Education, Steering Committee
National Board Association
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Dr. Gallon III was unanimously elected as Chair of the National Steering Committee of the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) at its annual business meeting held virtually on Thursday, April 1, 2021. After consideration of his nomination and his service as Vice Chair over the past year, Dr. Gallon was unanimously elected by school board members representing regions from around the country.
Dr. Gallon, who has served as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and Superintendent of Schools was first elected to the National Steering Committee of the Council of Urban Boards of Education on April 7, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas, becoming the first Miami-Dade School Board member to be elected this committee in more than a decade. In addition to Chair, he will continue to serve his term representing the southern region of the U.S.
For 50+ years, CUBE has been at the forefront in helping urban school districts strive for excellence. Established in 1967 by NSBA’s Board of Directors, CUBE is a national membership organization guided by Steering Committee members who represent a diverse group of urban school board members dedicated to the needs of children in urban centers, and who provide guidance and leadership to carry out the vision of CUBE.
CUBE’s mission is to create opportunities for urban school board leaders to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective policymakers and advocates for equity and excellence in public education. CUBE currently represents over 100 urban school districts in 32 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its member districts educate nearly eight million students in almost 12,000 schools with a collective budget of $99 billion.
CUBE helps urban school board leaders find solutions to challenges at the local level and seeks to improve their policy-making effectiveness. CUBE creates a forum for urban school board members to share innovative practices through seminars, conferences, legislative advocacy, research projects, professional networking opportunities, specialized publications, and local governance and policy assistance.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to have been unanimously elected by my peers as the new Chair of the CUBE Steering Committee and am moved by their confidence and support. Having spent over three decades in public education, and in roles ranging from teacher, assistant principal, and principal, to district administrator, superintendent, and elected School Board Member in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the nation's 4th largest school district, I look forward to our collective and continued work of advocating for educational equity, enlightenment, and empowerment for under voiced and underserved student populations across the nation. As we enter into new, uncharted waters of a post-COVID-19 educational reality, we must become even more deliberate, intentional, strategic, and unapologetic in our articulation and actions regarding addressing the increased needs and challenges of educating poor, Black, and Hispanic students in our nation's schools. My life's personal journey and professional work have prepared me for such a time as this," Dr. Gallon stated.
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On January 9, 2021, Dr. Gallon joined Jennifer Andreu and Eric Knowles at their first UPPAC meeting of the year where they called on all African-American contractors who wanted an equitable share of business opportunities with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
To watch full conversation, click on the link below:
https://fb.watch/4IlmeIB-zy/
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Miami Carol City Senior Cheerleaders
State Competition Send-Off
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Dr. Gallon stopped by Miami Carol City Senior High School to salute and send off the Miami Carol City Cheerleaders as they prepared to head to Lakeland to compete in the FHSAA State Cheerleading Championships on January 21, 2021.
This is a result of the district's effort in making cheerleading a sport in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
"I remain thankful for the unanimous support of my School Board Agenda Item H-17 in November 2019 and now Miami Carol City Sr. High Competitive Cheer Team is the ONLY school representing Miami-Dade County and advancing to STATE. I wish them success," said Dr. Gallon.
See Board Item here:
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Reading with Scott Lake Elementary |
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It is always a privilege and honor for Dr. Gallon to read to the students at Scott Lake Elementary whenever the opportunity presents itself.
He gave special thanks to the amazing administration for the invitation and their continued service to the students.
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Literacy Week at North Dade Center of Modern Languages |
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Dr. Gallon had a great time reading to the students at North Dade Center for Modern Languages during literacy week on January 27, 2021.
He expressed that it was a great respite to share a literacy moment with students between meetings and gave special thanks to Principal Robin Armstrong and her team for extending the invitation.
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NSBA Strategic Planning Team Meeting |
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Dr. Gallon was humbled and honored to have been selected to serve on the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Strategic Gap Planning team and be a part of helping to shape the strategic pathway for NSBA. |
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Recognizing the 2021 Wilson Scholars of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project |
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At the School Board Meeting of February 10, 2021 the Miami-Dade County School Board recognized the 2021 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Wilson Scholars, as proposed by Dr. Gallon.
Dr. Gallon was proud to recognize and congratulate the hard work and dedication of these young men.
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5th Annual Black History Showcase |
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On February 18, 2021, District 1 celebrated Black History Month and put on display the beauty, brilliance, and artistry of their students at the 5th Annual District 1 Black History Showcase entitled "We're Still Here".
This year District 1 paid tribute to Black women who have influenced history.
Dr. Gallon gave special thanks to the support and partnership of the Miami Dolphins Foundation and Miami Gardens Councilwoman Katrina Wilson-Davis.
To see full video of District 1's Black History Showcase, click on the link below:
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Dr. Gallon was proud to once again lend his voice to the Black History Month Edition for the Miami Herald and saluted Russell Motley and the Legacy team for their continued education and elevation of the African American culture.
In this edition he sought to bring truth and fire in his penned piece entitled “It Would Have Been Worse Had Capitol Rioters Looked Like Me.”
"As our district continues to play its role and honor its obligation to stem and eliminate the tide of racial ignorance and intolerance, we must boldly lean in to educating our students in doing the same. To correct systems of injustice, inequality, inequity, disparity, and systemic racism we must first, in truth, call them out," stated Dr. Gallon.
To read full edition see link below:
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On March 11, 2021, Dr. Gallon joined Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin to discuss the current status of Miami-Dade County Public School's 2021 academic school year.
To see full conversation, click on the link below:
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Recognizing Mrs. Valtena Brown |
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Dr. Gallon was honored to congratulate, salute, and celebrate Mrs. Valtena Brown on her retirement from the Miami-Dade County Public Schools as Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer after 33 years of distinguished service at the March 17, 2021 School Board meeting.
Mrs. Brown has successfully served our district with integrity, dedication, and the highest level of competence, compassion, passion, and skill. Her unrivaled love of education and service to the children and community will be truly missed.
See Board Item below:
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Strategic Blueprint Retreat |
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On March 23, 2021, Dr. Gallon was actively engaged at the School Board/Superintendent's Cabinet Joint Retreat where the Board and the Administration participated in conversations and team building activities for the new 2021-2026 Strategic Blueprint.
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Welcoming the New North Region Superintendent |
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Dr. Gallon had a great meeting with the newly appointed North Region Superintendent, Dr. Verena Cabrera, and is looking forward to the continued improved performance and high expectations in District 1. |
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