Veteran educator relishes chance to lead foundation
The Hernando Education Foundation's director says her greatest initial challenge has been getting the community familiar with the foundation's purpose of administering scholarships, providing mini-grants and overseeing the selection of teacher of the year.
By LOGAN NEILL
Published May 20, 2004
When she was voted Hernando's Teacher of the Year in 1998, Kathleen Reitz came to appreciate the kind of support that the Hernando Education Foundation lends to educators.
She remembers the boost in spirit that came with recognition of her diligence and hard work as a teacher. It was good to know that there were people in the community who were devoted to seeing that teachers had the financial resources to promote special activities in their classrooms, the 20-year veteran educator thought at the time.
So in January, when Reitz got the call to come to work as executive director for the foundation, she didn't hesitate. Five months later, she admits she loves the challenge, even though she came in as the organization was gearing up for its biggest event of the year.
"I got here just as the Teacher of the Year ceremonies were gearing up, and I've been running ever since," said Reitz, 48. "Things have come a long way, but I'm still taking baby steps. The real work still lies ahead."
It's easy to see why the foundation's board of directors chose the friendly and outgoing former kindergarten and first-grade teacher. She admits her conversational skills are probably her greatest asset in a job that entails meeting new people nearly every day. And people, says Reitz, are what will be needed to steer the foundation toward its lofty goals.
Created in 1988 by a group of civic and business leaders to increase community involvement in Hernando schools, the Hernando Education Foundation is perhaps best known for overseeing such activities as the annual selection of teacher of the year and school-related employee of the year. In addition, it also administers McDonalds-sponsored African-American, HACER and Asia scholarships as well as providing classroom mini-grants for special education projects.
Though much of the financing for programs comes from fund-raising events, the foundation also receives substantial assistance through donations from businesses and private individuals. As executive director, Reitz says her greatest initial challenge has been getting the community more familiar with the foundation's purpose. Despite its long history in the community, she's still apt to get questioning looks when she introduces herself to business people.
"The county has grown so much in recent years and we've been remiss in going out and introducing ourselves," she said. "I want to concentrate on bringing them into the fold. There's a lot of untapped potential out there."
Another of Reitz's priorities includes attracting new blood to the foundation's board of directors, which has seen a number of vacancies recently. In addition, Reitz believes a more diverse board would encourage greater outreach from within the community.
Long term, she wants to expand scholarship opportunities and increase the money available for the mini grant program.
"The one thing I've discovered is that the foundation does have a lot of longtime supporters who believe in what we do here," said Reitz. "The rainbow is out there, and we're going for it."
