From The Core: News from the Florida Department of Education
New Education Commissioner
Dr. Eric J. Smith began his tenure as the new Florida Commissioner of Education in December. The State Board of Education (SBE) voted unanimously to select him to serve as Florida’s chief educational officer responsible for providing full assistance to the SBE in enforcing compliance with the mission and goals of Florida’s K-20 education system.
“Dr. Smith has the skills and experience that Florida’s education system needs, and I look forward to working with him in the future,” said SBE Chairman T. Willard Fair.
Dr. Smith began his career in Florida more than 30 years ago as a classroom teacher. His commitment to affecting positive change in the field of education led him to several administrative positions in Florida school districts and eventually to 16 years of serving as a district superintendent in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland. His goals have remained constant throughout his career: to increase academic achievement of all students and to reduce the disparity in achievement among student subgroups. His success in consistently meeting these goals in individual districts bears testimony to his own passion to change students’ lives, the urgency he brings to the challenges involved, and the leadership he demonstrates in ensuring the involvement of all stakeholders.
Former Commissioner of Education Retires
Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg recently retired from the Florida Department of Education, following more than three decades of service to Florida's education system. Blomberg was appointed Commissioner of Education by a unanimous vote of the State Board of Education in January 2007 after serving as Chief of Staff to then Education Commissioner John Winn.
