Altina Fenelon-Silva

Mission-driven educational leader dedicated to empowering youth, developing staff, and advancing academic success through innovative programs and strategic partnerships. Experienced in leading grant-funded initiatives, facilitating professional learning, and coaching instructional teams to strengthen program quality and organizational impact. Committed to fostering collaboration, leveraging data-informed strategies, and creating meaningful learning opportunities that inspire growth, strengthen literacy outcomes, and drive student achievement.

• Association of Teacher Educators (ATE):
• ATE 2023 Subcommittee Member (September 2021-2023)
• Served on the ATE 2023 Local Planning Subcommittee to plan for the 2023 ATE Conference held in Jacksonville, FL.
• African American History Initiative Task Force:
• Task Force Member, Duval County Public Schools (January 2020-June 2022)
• Collaborated with district departments, university and community partners in the development and ongoing implementation and instruction of the African American History Curriculum
• Allocated resources and provided ongoing professional development for teachers, students and school staff in strategies for teaching African American History
• Teacher Education Committee (TEC), University of North Florida:
• TEC Committee Member (September 2021-June 2022)
• Coordinated with faculty and staff members to review and assess conceptual teaching framework, curriculum, and support for teacher candidates
• Collaborated with UNF's faculty and staff members across teacher education programs to evaluate and monitor preparation programs for accreditation
• UNF Endowed Professor and Director of Clinical Experiences/Educator Preparation Partnerships Search Committee (November 2020-February 2021):
• Served as an ex-officio on the external search committee focused on the University's Bill Herald Endowed Professor and Director of Clinical Experiences/Educator Preparation Partnerships
• Participated in search committee interviews, developed rubrics and evaluation templates, and collaborated with the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum on all educator preparation programs.
• Florida Association of Teacher Educators (FATE):
• Treasurer (September 2015-December 2017)
• Managed a budget of $20,000 and collaborated with FATE Board members to plan bi-annual teacher education seminars, meetings, and the annual teacher educator conference hosted as an affiliate of the Association of Teacher Educators
• Crown PK-12 Director (September 2014-September 2015)
• Served as the Director of the North Florida PK-12 region of FATE and scholarship committee member to award post-secondary students with continuing education scholarships
• Teach For America (TFA) Jacksonville:
• Advisory Board Member (August 2013-May 2017)
• Focused on increasing the impact of networking in the district and opening pathways and leadership opportunities for current Corp Members and TFA Alumni in Jacksonville
• Community Onboard Advisor (April 2012-December 2013)
• Focused on onboarding incoming corps members on the mission of TFA Jacksonville
• Matriculation Committee Member (October 2011-May 2012)
• Assisted in transitioning accepted applicants to confirming their offer with TFA
• LeaderShape Florida Institute:
• Operations and Cluster Facilitator (May 2010)
• Facilitated leadership development sessions during a seven-day institute with lead and clusters facilitators for 60 aspiring and student leaders from different backgrounds and various Florida universities and colleges
• Session topics focused on understanding the visioning process, inclusive leadership, values alignment, and leading with integrity.
• Multicultural Diversity Affairs, University of Florida:
• Conference Facilitator, James E. Scott Black Student Leadership (April 2008-April 2010):
• Organized, developed, and facilitated student workshops for the annual James E. Scott Black Student Leadership Conference with the Assistant Director of Multicultural & Diversity Affairs and Director of the Institute of Black Culture (IBC)/Black Affairs.
• Facilitated professional workshops and student-led sessions focused on developing effective leadership skills and problem-solving campus-wide concerns with diverse student organizations.

• Lastrapes, W. and Fenelon-Silva, A. (2021, December). Re-Envisioning Teacher Education: Fostering Equitable Teaching Practices through a Collaborative Urban Teacher Residency. Florida Association of Teacher Educators (FATE) Conference, University of Tampa. Tampa, FL.
• Timmons, C. and Fenelon-Silva, A. (2014, September). Blurred Lines: The Creative Challenges and Solutions to an e-Learning Environment. Florida Association of Teacher Educators (FATE) Conference. The University of Florida. Gainesville, FL.

BGCA Panda Cares: 

• Sponsor: Boys & Girls Clubs of America Panda Cares
• Amount: $40,000
• Description: BGCA Panda Cares’ investment strengthens our academic success across our Boys & Girls Clubs through five pillars: homework help and tutoring, high-yield learning activities, family and community involvement, motivation and incentives, and school partnerships. Through Panda Cares Centers of Hope and Project Learn, this support and fosters our literacy growth, academic achievement, and meaningful learning opportunities that empower youth to thrive in their communities.

BGCA Ross Power Hour: 

• Sponsor: Boys & Girls Clubs of America Ross Power Hour
• Amount: $20,000
• Description: BGCA's Ross Power Hour grant has enhanced our academic success across our Boys & Girls Clubs for dedicated homework assistance and engaging learning activities. Our youth have gained access to valuable academic resources that build confidence, reinforce foundational skills, and promote academic achievement.

ARPA Grant: 

• Federal Funding American Rescue Plan Act
• Amount: $100,000
• Description: The ARPA Grant expanded our MAGIC of Literacy program by increasing access to targeted reading interventions and academic support in three Seminole County Clubs. This investment helped accelerate literacy growth and improve academic outcomes for youth across our Boys & Girls Clubs.
• Timeframe: August 2022-July 2025

Dr. Phillips Charities: 

• Sponsor: Dr. Phillips Charities Foundation
• Amount: $250,000
• Description: Dr. Phillips Charities’ generous investment supported our MAGIC of Literacy program across five Boys & Girls Clubs, driving significant literacy gains and improved academic outcomes for K–12 youth
• Time frame: July 2022-July 2024

Father's Table: 

• Sponsor: Father's Table Foundation
• Amount: $25,000 (January 2024-December 2025)
• Description: The Father’s Table Foundation supported our academic success by expanding educational opportunities for youth at our West Sanford Branch. This generous investment helped enhance reading skills, promote academic growth, and empower youth to reach their full potential.
• Timeframe: January 2024-December 2025

The Teacher Quality Partnership/Transforming Teacher Preparation for Duval County: 

• Sponsor: The U.S. Department of Education
• Amount: $1.6 Million
• Description: Partnership Grant to support high-quality teacher preparation and recruit high-quality individuals for priority needs schools
• Time Frame: 5 Year (2019-2024)

Black Educator Initiative (BEI) Project:

• Sponsor: National Council of Teacher Residencies
• Amount: $40,000
• Description: Partnership grant to recruit high-quality teacher candidates of color
• Time Frame: May 1, 2021-April 30, 2022

Courses taught, revised, and developed:

Aspiring Leaders Leadership Academy 2017-2021

• The Aspiring Leaders Leadership program is for staff members seeking a Level 1 Educational Leadership Certification interested in school-based leadership. Candidates eligible for the program hold a Master's degree but are not certified in Educational Leadership. This program is a highly selective 10-month blended program that provides learning opportunities aligned with the Florida Principal Leadership Standards. The focus of the program is instructional leadership and faculty development. Participants gain experiences by immersing themselves in field coursework, providing effective feedback to developing teachers, networking with colleagues, having courageous conversations, and exploring case studies and action research. I co-facilitated these learning sessions, monitored, and submitted bi-annual reports with the FLDOE in collaboration with our Executive Director of Professional Development and Chief Academic Officer.

Teacher Leadership Academy 2018-2022

• The Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA) is a two-year customized and blended academy designed to develop teacher leaders, coaches, and specialists with the leadership knowledge and skills essential to serve as exceptional leaders in their current and future roles. I co-created and facilitated these learning sessions focused on a vision for teacher leadership, understanding our colleagues, managing change, leveraging effective communication, promoting adult learning, collaborating with teams, and diving into inquiry. Year 2 is focused on promoting equity, cultural responsiveness, and stakeholder engagement. Teacher leaders engaged in field studies, participated in learning experiences throughout the city to understand the history and context of their communities to infuse and influence equitable practices in and outside of the classrooms.

Support Staff Leadership Academy 2018-2022

• The Support Staff Leadership Academy (SSLA) is a comprehensive, full-year professional learning experience for non-instructional team members, including secretaries, front-office/clerical staff members, office aides, and data-entry clerks, bookkeepers, paraprofessionals, food nutrition and custodial staff. The professional development learning sessions focused on skills essential to successfully working with adults, leading team members, and advocating for students, schools, and their communities.

Reading Difficulties, Disabilities, and Dyslexia, 2018-2019

• This course is a specified training for Reading Coaches, Instructional Staff members, and School Administrators in identifying conditions such as dyslexia, instructional practices, and research-based techniques proven to improve reading performance and data to meet students' needs. I co-constructed the online-self paced course in collaboration with our Reading/English Language Arts Academic Services Department and the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Crown Office. Over 4,500 teachers and administrators completed the course to satisfy the requirement of the School Community Professional Development Act, HB 7069.

Clinical Educator Training, 2020-2022

• The revised Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Clinical Educator Training (CET) offers developing professionals with practical and skills-oriented instruction under the supervision of a skilled practitioner. Under section 1004.04, Florida Statutes (F.S.), clinical education training is required for personnel in postsecondary teacher preparation programs. All school district and instructional personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students during field experience courses, internships/apprenticeships must be CET certified with the new training. I facilitate and collaborate with our university partner to include programs for (Field I, II, JTR Residents, Elementary, Secondary STEM, Exceptional Education/DHH interns). I trained and assisted prospective mentor teachers to support teacher candidates during their clinical and residency experiences.