Nova Southeastern University and Nova High School’s Cybersecurity Dual Enrollment Initiative

Submitted by Broward County Schools

Broward County Public Schools is pleased to announce the launch of its Cybersecurity Dual Enrollment initiative, which was developed in collaboration with Nova Southeastern University. This program offers students enrolled in Cybersecurity Essentials courses at Nova High School the opportunity to build and strengthen their skills in Computer Science and Cybersecurity while simultaneously earning college credit.

This is all thanks to the newly launched Cybersecurity Dual Enrollment program.

Upon completion of the program, which began in October 2022 and continued through December 2022, students were given the chance to test for certifications that are recognized by relevant industry. In addition to gaining professional industry certifications, students will walk away with tangible skills and gain insight into cybersecurity from renowned Professor of Information Systems and Cybersecurity, Dr. Yair Levy.

Dr. Levy is an expert in the field of information systems and cybersecurity.

During his time at NSU, Dr. Levy has overseen the graduation of more than 50 students with doctoral degrees in Information Systems, Information Assurance, and Cybersecurity Management. This is just one of his many achievements. His research, which has been published in a variety of journals assessed by experts in the field, has been cited more than 7,400 times.

As part of this initiative, students from BCPS were given the opportunity to speak with a few of Dr. Levy’s graduate assistant students during the month of October, which is observed all across the country as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The event was organized so that the students could learn more about the field of cybersecurity.

Dr. Levy’s graduate students make up what is known as NSU’s eHackers (Ethical Hackers), which is a Cybersecurity Student Club. These students have kindly offered to visit many of BCPS’s Information Technology and Computer Science classes in order to assist in better preparing students for the potential digital issues they may encounter. EHackers were able to discuss a wide range of issues, including IT and cybersecurity career pathways, provide insight into in-demand skill sets, and respond to questions posed by students throughout their visits.

TEACHER HIGHLIGHT

Teacher of the Year: Culinary, International Collaboration, and Drones?

Submitted by the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

Sherry, as her students call her, using her sign name in the hand shape of an “s” brushing against the jaw line, is our Culinary II, III, & IV teacher in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program on the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) campus. Sherry was unanimously voted Teacher of the Year by her colleagues and staff.

Sherry has gone above and beyond in only her 2nd year here at FSDB in her current teaching position. Previously, she worked in conjunction with Florida Community Technical College (FCTC) and FSDB’s culinary program as well as many hours of volunteering before finally becoming our Culinary Program teacher. Since joining us last year, Sherry has won over the hearts of her students and colleagues with her passion and devotion to teaching Deaf students both the theoretical and hands-on parts of the culinary industry. She teaches students using American Sign Language and prepares students to successfully pass industry certifications.

Sherry and her students not only practice in the lab what they learn in the classroom, but they openly share their masterpieces of deliciousness with classmates and staff across campus.

With Sherry’s support and direction, the culinary program has and continues to support the Athletics Department with various events, Teachers of the Year Lunches, Thanksgiving Pie sales,

Christmas meal specials, Prom, and countless other initiatives around campus.

Sherry has gone as far as setting up an international relationship with L’Institute National de Jeunes Sourds (INJS) de Paris (National Institute for Young Deaf in Paris). The INJS was the world’s first school for the Deaf located in Paris, France. Students share regional culinary cuisines, language, and cultures.

Of course, like many people, and even teachers, we all have hidden talents and passions not everyone knows about. Shery, however, just so happens to be a Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) certified remote Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV) “aka: Drone” pilot. So, if Sherry is not cooking with her culinary students by day or in the kitchen lab after school with the culinary club, just look up to see the drones flying around campus because that would be a good sign that Sherry is somewhere nearby leading the drone club.

That’s right! Sherry is also teaching and preparing Drone Club students for certification and the SkillsUSA State of Florida drone competition in Spring 2023. Sherry is constantly the first person to say ‘Yes!’ to anything anyone asks. Sherry is appreciated more than words can say or signs can express and continues to be a team player and leader for everyone at FSDB!