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The Academy Staff
Ms. Brookins, Program Director
Ms. Peggy Brookins, NBCT, is the director of EMIT and brings thirty-one years of teaching experience in high school mathematics to our Academy. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adult and Young Adolescent Mathematics. She also serves on the NBPTS Board of Directors and is the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
She has taught every math course at Forest High School, ranging from Pre-Algebra through AP Statistics, served as a co-writer of the grant proposal for EMIT, and taught in the pre-academy pilot program during 1994-95. Mrs. Brookins won the Florida Education Association Excellence in Teaching Award in 2007.
She is also a former FHS Teacher of the Year and has served on numerous committees and advisory councils at the local, county and state level. Peggy has served both as a presenter at the National High Schools That Work Conference and as a member of an external evaluation team for High Schools That Work. She contributes expertise in curriculum integration and classroom management skills, and has traveled with the EMIT team to Clay County conducting faculty in-service on academy concepts.
Mrs. Brookins is a member of the Science and Mathematics Articulation Resource Team, and has earned certification in the ABACUS curriculum development tool and is also a National Thinking Math Trainer for the American Federation of Teachers’ Educational Research and Development (ER&D) Program. Mrs. Brookins is an instructor of Thinking Mathematics I, II & III and Foundations of Effective Teaching in Marion County’s Professional Development University, and she also coaches the Varsity Girl’s golf team. Mrs. Brookins piloted a Thinking Mathematics course for Middle School Teachers in Los Angeles, CA in November of 2006, which she co-authored. Mrs. Brookins also presented this course at the 2007 QuEST conference in July in Washington, DC.
Peggy holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, has twenty-one hours of graduate work, and is working toward a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Cambridge College in Boston.
Mrs. Harmon, NBCT
Mrs. Bessie Harmon is a veteran teacher of Language Arts, with extensive training in brain-based learning, holistic scoring techniques, and writing instruction. She brings twenty-nine years of experience at the middle school and high school level.
A member of the Forest High School staff for eighteen years, Mrs. Harmon has been with the Academy since its inception, teaching English Honors I - IV. Extracurricular activities included coaching the academic team and producing the FHS publication Uncaged. Her background includes training in the Florida Writing Project, publishing a kids’ newspaper, participating in numerous courses and workshops on Macintosh computer systems, and establishing a reading lab program. She has been a presenter at the National High Schools That Work Conference, and has traveled with the EMIT team to Clay County for two summers conducting faculty in-service on academy concepts.
Mrs. Harmon holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
Mr. Murray
Email | Classroom Website
Mr. Michael Murray is a graduate of University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of Drafting Engineering and Industrial Technology. He is ACAD certified and has taught various technology classes for the past 28 years. Drafting Engineering, architectural, electronics, power mechanics and computer repair were taught at the middle school, high school, and college levels.
He had the opportunity to work for 8 weeks at Oakridge National Laboratory, Oakridge, Tenn. which he researched and developed different ways of using rubber silicon fibers and combining this product with robotic grippers.
For the past 4 years he has enjoyed working with the positive attitude of the EMIT Academy and faculty at Forest High School and looks forward to a progressive year!
"Education at its Best!"
Ms. Ruth May is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a BS in Secondary Education with a major in secondary school mathematics. Post graduate and graduate work was done at Cleveland State University and Kent State University.
She began her teaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State University teaching freshman math in the college of Arts and Sciences. She has had a varied teaching career teaching in Ohio, Texas, Illinois and Florida. Ms May has also had the opportunity to work in education for three years in the Oient on the island of Okinawa and two years in Germany. Since relocating to Florida, she has taught high school in Vero Beach and taught at Lake Weir High School.
Mrs. Marcia Stofel is a graduate of The Ohio State University.
Mrs. Stofel began her teaching career in Palm Beach County. For six of the thirteen years in South Florida she was the Varsity Debate coach of a nationally ranked team and earned the Diamond Coach award from the National Forensic League. In addition to her teaching and coaching responsibilities, she was also very involved in the school community by Co-Chairing the School Advisory Committee and being the chairperson for the English Department. Her hard work and dedication earned her the Teacher of the Year Award in 2000. After moving to Cincinnati, Mrs. Stofel continued her involvement with educational excellence as she was once again English Department Chairperson while earning her Lead Teacher Credentials from the Cincinnati Public School District. While part of the educational community in Cincinnati, Mrs. Stofel was invited to join The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (a professional honor society of women educators).
Her last four and half years of teaching have been at Forest High School where she has been involved with Marion County Public Schools Power Standards Pilot Program and most recently joining the EMIT program as one of their English teachers. In addition to working in the classroom, Mrs. Stofel is responsible for the program’s newsletter and website.
Outside of the school day, she helps with the Forest Girls’ Golf team as an assistant coach.
Mr. Jim Touchton graduated from The University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. After working for several technology, computer and communications companies such as Southern Bell, IBM, Agilent Technologies, Jabil Circuits, and Cingular Wireless, Mr. Touchton became a certified teacher -- being certified in Drafting, Math, and Physics.
His experiences as a field service engineer, manufacturing engineer, test engineer, systems engineer, staff engineer, and manager are a great addition to the EMIT program. His experience in sales support and customer service will also bring real life application to the EMIT classroom experience.
Mr. Touchton also brings several accomplishments and activities with him to EMIT. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu academic honor societies, an active member of MEA, and has been invited to join Phi Delta Kappa, a professional education association. Mr. Touchton has published several technical articles for companies he has worked for, and authored U.S. Patent #5530887. Along with his academic and professional activities, Mr. Touchton spends time in the community as a tutor and pianist.
Mr. James
Mr. Raymond James started his education as a student of the University of Florida and is a graduate of Western Governors University with a Bachelor in Secondary Mathematics Education. He joined the EMIT department in 2009, bringing with him real world experiences and recognized accomplishments. Before entering the education field, Mr. James spent 13 years in the United States Naval Reserves with the Construction Battalion specializing as a Construction Electrician. This specification focused on power generators, pole and land line construction, and in home power distribution. While in the Naval Reserves, he received awards for his outstanding performances while on active duty. He also worked for a major retailer for 18 years, starting as an hourly associate and worked his way up to a store manager, winning numerous accolades and awards during his tenure. After leaving the retail field,
Mr. James decided to follow his dream and love of working with kids. He started his education career at Howard Middle School and transferred to Forest High School the following year. He has won the Marion County Non-Instructional Employee of the Year and Rookie Teacher of Year for Forest High School award. Mr. James is an instructor of Thinking Mathematics course for Middle School Teachers through the American Federation of Teachers’ Educational Research and Development (ER&D) program. Since entering education field, he has spent his free time coaching boys’ and girls’ basketball, girls’ track & field, and girls’ flag football.
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