Welcome!

Hi! I'm Cichele Fields. I am the project coordinator for a USDOE Smaller Learning Communities grant at Apopka High School in Orange County, Florida. Our grant is helping to divide our large, comprehensive high school of more than 2,600 students into Career Academies based on student interest. Additionally, I developed and manage several other grant related iniatives, including the Student Success Center, a tutoring and mentoring center that provides supports for students, and the Darter 2 Darter Mentoring Program, which trains upperclassmen to serve as mentors and student teachers in our Freshman Academy.

Prior to my current position, I taught English for Speakers of Other Languages at Apopka High School for five years, where I became National Board Certified. I also taught English and Social Studies at Port St. Lucie High School. My involvement with students in the classroom and as an extracurricular sponsor and coach led me to my current position. I am passionate about helping students find what interests them, and the personalized learning environment promoted by the SLC program seemed like a perfect fit. As the primary author of our school's SLC Grant application, only one of less than 50 funded projects in the U.S. in FY 2008, I am very proud of the steps we've taken thus far to improve the educational experiences of students.

My research interests also stem from my background in the classroom. As an ESOL teacher, tutoring program coordinator, and the sponsor of my school's College Reach-Out Program, I have worked closely with first generation college hopefuls, immigrant and migrant youth, and students from impoverished families. I hope to make a difference for these students as they pursue their various paths to fulfilling careers. I am also interested in high school reform, and how global influences will affect the traditional American high school model in years to come.