Meet an FLVS Curriculum Specialist
We are celebrating the 2016-17 school year with a blog series featuring FLVS faculty and staff. Meet the creative and dedicated individuals who make every day a great day at FLVS!
Did you know that FLVS develops our own curriculum for courses?
The Curriculum Innovation Department works from concept to course delivery to provide an exemplary academic experience. The role of a curriculum specialist is to collaborate with his/her project team to create course content that aligns with the state standards and also engages the learner.
Christina Steele has been with FLVS for eight years and has had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles. Coming on board as an Earth Space Science instructor, she eventually took this expertise and became a literacy coach for several years. Therefore, moving to the Curriculum Department was a seamless move, as she uses her expansive literacy and science knowledge to support rigorous content for a variety of FLVS courses.
It is my honor to introduce you to Christina Steele.
What brought you into the field of education?
I was going to be a marine biologist. I even went to a marine science magnet school. As a high school senior, I started volunteering in Little Haiti. I fell in love with Dolch sight word cards and reading groups. That was in 1993 and here I am today!
How long have you worked at FLVS and what roles have you held?
I started at FLVS in October 2008 as an Earth Space Science Instructor. I switched gears and worked as a teacher-on-assignment (TOA) in Curriculum before joining the Literacy Team as a Coach. From there, I returned to Curriculum and have made that my home. I’ve served as a Science Specialist, a Common Core Specialist, and am currently the Literacy Curriculum Specialist.
Who inspires you?
My family! They are kind, hard-working, smart, funny, and always a source of joy and pride for me.
What are the best three things you think you’ve done since you’ve become a Curriculum Specialist with FLVS?
I really loved working with FLVS Full Time teachers when Common Core was being implemented.
While working on the Anatomy and Physiology development, I was able to infuse real-world medical information, images, and videos.
The partnerships I’ve built with teachers have been extremely important in making sure our products are providing solid, engaging experiences for teachers and students.
How do you like to relax after a long day of supporting students and teachers?
I’m quite a foodie, so I love to cook. Chopping, mixing, and sautéing are like therapy for me.
Why not ask your teacher(s) one of the 5 questions?
Get to know the instructor who is working for your success!
Dr. Jeanne Giardino, FLVS instructor, has a true passion for all things literacy. She enjoys the collaborative process in promoting reading in all aspects of virtual education. Having held a variety of positions with FLVS since 2006, she brings a global perspective to her current position. After 20 years in the field of education, she maintains a wealth of literacy knowledge and enthusiasm for student success.
View all posts by Dr. Jeanne Giardino
Hi Christina! It is such a pleasure to meet you! It is nice to know you worked in the Little Haiti area as a teenager, I live right near there! What a small world! I have been following the FLVS organization for a few years since I left Orlando to pursue my bachelor’s degree at FIU and somehow keep coming back to check in on how the organization is doing. I hope to sign my future kids up for FLVS. Hope to work closer with you in the near future. All the best to you and your family for the new year!