I can hardly believe that my time as President of ACE of Florida has come to an end. It seems like only yesterday that I assumed the role of President; the last two years have just flown by. Serving as ACE President has been an amazing personal and professional experience and one that will benefit me for years to come. It also afforded me the opportunity to meet and work with the finest adult education professionals in our state; something that most do not have the chance to do.
I want to thank all of our Board members, current and past, who served during my tenure as President, for all of your hard work and support. I thank each of you for our shared journey, your friendship, the help and encouragement you provided during the tough times and the joy we shared celebrating our successes. Together, we have accomplished a great deal, not the least of which was the selection of a new executive director for the first time in nearly 25 years. I could not be more pleased with the job Ms. Julie Roberts has done, and will continue to do, as our ACE of Florida, Executive Director. And speaking of the ACE office, thank you to Ms. Leigh Ann Clark and to our newest ACE office member, Ms. Ashley Olevitch, for their hard work and support as well. A President could not ask for a better ACE office staff.
I also want to thank our general membership; our teachers and administrators, and now our new support staff members, for the work they do every day in their schools and for their continued support of our organization. ACE of Florida would not exist if not for our members and their commitment and dedication to adult education and ACE of Florida. I would also be remiss in not thanking our colleagues in the FLDOE Department of Career and Adult Education, for their support over the past two years.
Fortunately for me, this is not “goodbye.” Rather, I am closing one door and opening another. I look forward to continuing to serve the organization as Past-President and am excited to be working with President Melanie Stefanowicz and her new Executive Board.
ACE of Florida is in good hands and our future is bright. It has been my honor to serve as the President of ACE of Florida and I look forward to seeing you at the ACE Conference in West Palm Beach.
Sincerely,
Maria Miranda