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Joseph N. Balchunas (FL '00)

Principal

Park Ridge Elementary School
Deerfield Beach, FL

Subject(s) taught: General Elementary
Grade(s): 4

At the time of the Award, Joseph N. Balchunas was:

Teacher
Fairway Elementary School
Miramar, FL

Subject(s) taught: General Elementary
Grade(s): 4


Biographical Information

Joseph Balchunas exemplifies outstanding teaching practices in his fourth-grade class at Fairway Elementary School in Miramar. Using cooperative groups, manipulatives and technology, he challenges his students to exercise critical thinking and problem solving. Mr. Balchunas started a Scrabble club to build his students' vocabulary and he develops their persuasive writing skills by having them write to their parents about a dream bicycle. His policy of calling parents weekly to inform them of classroom events yields a high degree of parental involvement in school events. Named Florida's Teacher of the Year for the year 2001, Mr. Balchunas is a team leader and a trainer in FCAT strategies and was instrumental in earning Fairway Elementary a National School of Excellence Award.


Additional Information

Degrees/Certifications

1995 Nova Southeastern University, B.A.


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