Gov.-elect Scott taps UF learning center head for his education transition team

Posted Dec. 7, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Governor-elect Rick Scott has tapped University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning Director Don Pemberton for his education transition team.

The team will help Scott “find innovative ways to create a new education system for a new economy,” according to a news release from the governor-elect.

The 18-member transition team includes the former chancellor of Washington, DC, Schools (Michelle Rhee), the chancellor of the State University System of Florida (Frank T. Brogan) and the president of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Julio Fuentes).

“I’m honored to be a part of such a strong team,” Pemberton said. “It’s a great opportunity to draw up a blueprint for the success of our next generation. New Governor Rick Scott has been showing solid commitment to improving our state’s educational system. I’m excited to get going on this.”

Pemberton (pictured right) is the founding director of the Lastinger Center, part of UF’s College of Education. The center works to develop master teachers, create effective early-childhood learning models, mobilize communities to improve child wellbeing, and establish racial equity in public schools. It links more than 300 partnering schools across Florida with UF scholars in multiple disciplines, forming powerful learning communities.

Pemberton is the third UF official named to one of Scott’s transition teams. The governor-elect earlier appointed UF President Bernie Machen to his economic development transition team, and UF trustee Carlos Alfonso, CEO of a Tampa-based architectural firm, to his regulatory reform team.


CONTACTS:

SOURCE: Don Pemberton, director, UF Lastinger Center for Learning, dpemberton @coe.ufl.edu

WRITER: Boaz Dvir, creative services coordinator, UF Lastinger for Learning, bdvir@coe.ufl.edu