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Gavin Alexander Riley-Morales, CF Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education graduate. [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]

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Posted December 22, 2025 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

CF earns top rankings for teacher education

The College of Central Florida’s Teacher Education program recently was recognized as the No. 1 most valuable education degree program in Florida, landing the No. 4 spot in the country as ranked by Research.com.

CF’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, designed to train teachers who wish to teach children age 3 through grade three, was recognized for its return-on-investment ratio and was noted for having a significant majority of students — more than 80% — who receive financial aid. According to Research.com, the ranking is built by selecting the best institutions in a location that “guarantee a good educational experience with the lowest cost possible.” CF’s tuition is about half the cost of a university and 3/4 of graduates leave the college with no student loan debt, according to the news release.

“Our goal at College of Central Florida is to offer a high-quality education with affordable tuition,” said Jennifer Fryns, CF vice president of Workforce Development and Innovation, in the release. “By training students in the high-demand field of teacher education, we are helping to meet Florida’s critical shortage of educators while giving graduates a competitive degree and the skills to enter this high-reward profession. Our strong partnerships with the school districts in Marion, Citrus and Levy counties support our 100% job placement rate and help keep our graduates local. Innovative aspects of CF’s Teacher Education program, such as the use of simulation software to prepare students for the realities of today’s classroom instruction and the Temporary Teacher internship program, provide our students with the tools they need to have a positive early career experience.”

To learn more, visit cf.edu/education

 

SECO trustee earns accreditation

SECO Energy has announced that Trustee Marty Proctor, who represents members in District 8, has earned the Director Gold Credential (DGC) from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The credential represents the highest level of educational achievement available to electric cooperative trustees.

“I am extremely pleased to announce that trustee Proctor has achieved the highest level of Trustee education from the NRECA – Gold Status. This is a significant accomplishment as he completed this advanced education within two years being elected to represent SECO Energy’s District 8 members,” stated SECO Energy’s Board of Trustees President and District 3 Trustee Gerald Anderson in the news release. “In this short time, trustee Proctor has become a knowledgeable and active participant in board governance, representing not only his district but all SECO members.”

“I would be remiss if I did not recognize that all nine SECO Energy Board of Trustees have earned the Gold-level education certificates,” Anderson added. “Nationwide, SECO Energy is one of only 14 out of more than 780 electric cooperatives to achieve the distinction of 100% Gold-level Board education.”

The Director Gold Credential is awarded to trustees who complete a rigorous series of advanced courses focused on cooperative governance, financial oversight, strategic planning and emerging challenges within the energy industry. After earning the credential, trustees must continue participating in ongoing education to maintain Director Gold status.