Project Description
Gregory Beckford, Fellow
Frank C. Martin K-8 Center
Miami, FL
There are some people who live to help and their lives bear witness to this testimony; Gregory Arlington Beckford is one of these “heroes”. Gregory is the ninth child of the late Eugene and Ethel Beckford. Raised in West Perrine, Gregory understands that it is a village that raises the children. Gregory has been a drum major for the less fortunate. He has a thirst for knowledge, which began with his education at Robert Russa Elementary and the South Region schools. He continued his education at Defiance College where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Secondary Education with a concentration in Mathematics. At Defiance, he also received his Masters of Science in Teacher Leadership. He later received his Educational Specialist from Nova Southeastern University in Educational Leadership. There are many things that could be said about Gregory. He is an entrepreneur and an administrator with Miami-Dade Public Schools. He’s not only partial to children gaining their education, but to their parents, grandparents and to the community at large. He is a champion for “Community Schools”, and worked tirelessly with the Miami-Dade County Public School District alongside his mother, to ensure that there are ample community schools to facilitate the needs of the community. He served countless civic organizations. These organizations included the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, the Black Male Explorers at Florida Memorial College, volunteer athletic coach, and mentor for Men Molding Men to name a few.
Joanne Kraus, Ally
Fifth Grade Teacher of the Gifted and Gifted Department Chair
Frank C. Martin K-8 Center
Miami, FL
Joanne Kraus has taught various grade levels at Frank C. Martin International K-8 Center as an International Baccalaureate Practitioner since August 2006. She has also served as Gifted Department Chair since August 2010. As an advocate for gifted students, she maintains the Educational Plans for the school and meets regularly with her team to suggest strategies for the gifted classroom. Prior teaching experience in Massachusetts, Broward County, and Palm Beach County add up to thirty years of experience. Mrs. Kraus earned her Masters of Education at the University of Massachusetts in Boston with a concentration in critical thinking, and is currently working on her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Florida. As the Doctoral Program in the Teachers, Schools, and Societies Department is designed for practicing educators, she hopes to continue to contribute to gifted education, with a focus on equity.