Wishing all of our students, families, educators, staff, leaders, and our incredible community a joyful and peaceful holiday season. God bless each of you. It’s a true honor to serve this wonderful community on the School Board.
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Withlacoochee Technical College has unveiled plans for a new aviation maintenance and training program, marking a major step forward for workforce development in our community. The proposed program, shared by WTC Director Colleen Strickland and the WTC team, would include Airframe and Powerplant training along with advanced specialty pathways that prepare students for in-demand careers as aircraft mechanics, avionics technicians, and non-destructive testing professionals.
What makes this opportunity especially meaningful is accessibility. The program is designed so students could complete training in as little as 18 months at an affordable cost, with access to Pell Grants, VA benefits, and Florida tuition waivers. These are careers with strong earning potential and real demand, many starting in the $60,000 range and growing significantly with experience.
This initiative builds directly on the work Citrus County Schools has been doing to expand aerospace opportunities for students. From our high school CTE programs to the Space Florida Space Academy we unveiled this summer, we are intentionally creating connected pathways that link education to real-world aerospace and aviation industries. A future WTC aviation program would be a critical next step in that pipeline, helping keep talent local while opening doors for students, veterans, and adult learners right here in Citrus County.
The unanimous support from the Citrus County Aviation Advisory Board and strong interest from community and industry partners highlight the impact this program could have on our local economy and workforce.
I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to read the full article and learn more about this exciting initiative and the thoughtful planning behind it. Thank you to Director Colleen Strickland and the entire WTC team for their work in bringing this opportunity forward for our students and our community.
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I want to sincerely thank all the individuals and organizations who made this special day possible for Miles Teller, our students, Lecanto High, and Citrus County. In particular, I want to recognize Shaunda Burdette and the Citrus County Education Foundation; Stacey Worthington and the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce; Lecanto High School and Principal LaBarbara; Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert, the Citrus School Board, and the Citrus School District; Sheriff David Vincent and the Citrus Sheriff’s Office; Beth Bedee; Darrick Buettner; Ryan and Krystal Downs and Citrus Live; and Amanda Whitelaw Larder and Tony Fay PR.
I also extend my great gratitude to Miles and his wife, his family, former teachers, coaches, friends, and classmates, along with all the other community members who helped make this day so memorable.
Years before movie premieres and red carpets, Miles Teller took the stage at Lecanto High School playing two very different characters: Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Willard in Footloose. One brought joy and lightness to everyone around him; the other showed the quiet power of loyalty and simply showing up, qualities Miles carried into real life when he recently returned to give back across Citrus County.
This was not the first time Miles returned to Lecanto High. He visited in 2016 to great excitement, but this visit stood in a category of its own. The LHS community, led by the LHS School Advisory Council and the LHS Alumni Association, championed the effort to honor him by naming the theater the Miles Teller Theatre at the Curtis Peterson Auditorium. What followed was a day defined not just by recognition, but by generosity.
Before he stepped on stage for the first student interview session, Miles was brought into his old dressing room. Waiting for him were photos from his time as an LHS performer, displayed beside images from his film career. The collection was arranged not only to welcome him back, but also to inspire young performers who will get ready in that very space. Also newly installed was a vinyl quote from Miles: “It all started on top of a red dog house in the Curtis Peterson Auditorium fighting the Red Baron.”
Miles’ introduction was powerful and deeply meaningful, anchored in the voices of the educators who helped shape him. Lecanto High School’s new principal, Troy LaBarbara, opened by reflecting on the lasting influence teachers, coaches, friendships, and relationships have in forming a young person and laying the foundation for success. He then welcomed Miles’ high school English teacher, Darrick Buettner, sporting a Snoopy tie in honor of Miles, spoke to the remarkable impact a single teacher can have on a student’s life before introducing one of the educators Miles himself has often described as pivotal, his drama and theater teacher, Beth Bedee.
Beaming with pride, Bedee spoke with heartfelt sincerity, saying, “Miles has been incredibly complimentary to me over the years, for which I am truly grateful. The truth is, he has a God-given gift. I simply provided him the opportunity to use and perfect it. He was never handed anything. He worked hard for everything he achieved and dedicated himself to improving his craft. I can’t think of a greater way for us to honor his legacy than to name this theatre after him, because he helped build it.” Together, their words offered a powerful testament to the impact Miles’ teachers had on him, and the lasting impact he had on them.
Miles then sat for two separate hour-long interview sessions with students. Fittingly, he was interviewed by Ryan Downs, a former LHS classmate and now host of Citrus Live. Miles answered questions, shared stories from his high school years, and spoke about the work behind his success. During the first session, the LHS percussion ensemble performed a tribute to him, fitting for someone whose time as a Lecanto percussionist helped shape his standout performance in the critically acclaimed film Whiplash. When students asked if Miles still played, his eyes lit up. With encouragement from the audience, Miles took a seat at the drum set already on stage with the ensemble. The spontaneous performance was such a hit that it was repeated during the second session to even louder applause.
Then came a surprise no one expected. Miles announced a $50,000 donation to the Citrus County Education Foundation, offered humbly as a thank you to the education community that helped raise him. Afterward, he gave time to local, state, and national media outlets before patiently taking photographs with every person who waited to meet him. Students, former classmates, teachers who guided Miles, and proud community members all had their moment. He did not rush anyone, giving every person the sense that their moment with him truly mattered. After Miles gave heartfelt credit to the educators and mentors who helped him become the person he is today, one of Miles’ former baseball coaches presented him with a Lecanto baseball cap, which Miles immediately put on and wore the rest of the day.
From Lecanto High, Miles traveled to CREST School, where he visited classrooms, read stories, sang with students, and expressed sincere appreciation to the staff for their work. Later that evening, Miles attended a fundraiser organized by the Citrus County Chamber to support the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Teen Driver Challenge. This driver safety program holds personal meaning for him, as he survived a serious crash as a young man.
Proudly still wearing his Lecanto baseball cap, Miles spent time interacting with community members throughout the event. Crystal River Mayor Joe Meek, a Crystal River High School alumnus, playfully teased Miles and the Lecanto crowd about the cap, adding to the warm and good-natured spirit of the evening. Throughout the day, Sheriff David Vincent and members of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office provided quiet support, ensuring safety during events that drew larger-than-usual crowds. In appreciation of Miles’ involvement in support of the Teen Driver Challenge, the sheriff presented him with an honorary deputy badge and credentials, which Miles accepted with genuine enthusiasm.
The day ended at the Citrus County Education Foundation Fest, where Miles served as a celebrity judge before stepping behind the bar as a celebrity bartender to raise funds for the Education Foundation. He laughed with families, spoke with community members, posed for photos, and took part in the evening with the ease of someone who knew he was home.
Everything about the day, from the cap he wore with such pride to the time he gave so generously, reflected a simple truth: Miles Teller is not just a hometown success story. He is someone who carries Citrus County with him, honors it, celebrates it, and remains grateful for the place where it all began.
And Citrus County is just as grateful for him.
Republished in the Citrus County Chronicle on 12/24/2025 – https://www.chronicleonline.com/news/local/column-thoughts-on-hometown-celebrity-s-visit-to-citrus-county/article_a7218357-ebbf-50ea-86cb-85295af4ce6b.html
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So proud of my niece, Dr. Kimberly Silver Dunker! Many of you have heard me speak of her. She is the Director of LLUSN’s MS/DNP Programs and continues to be a guiding force in health and medical higher education at Loma Linda University. She was recently featured in a column in Loma Linda NURSE magazine, highlighting her work and leadership. She has offered guidance and support to so many, including our family and me, shaping the future of healthcare education. Proud of you, Kim!
In 2025, Dr. Kimberly Silver Dunker experienced a remarkable year: earning a PhD in Leadership and Higher Education from Andrews University, relocating from Northern California—where she led Pacific Union College’s nursing program as Dean of Nursing—to Loma Linda, and joining the faculty at Loma Linda University School of Nursing (LLUSN) as the newly appointed Director of the MS/DNP programs for the 2025–26 school year. Her professional journey reflects a persistent calling to education, one she recognized early in her career and pursued with determination, allowing each role to prepare her for the next challenge.
An East Coast native, Dr. Dunker grew up in New England. She was immersed in nursing from an early age.
“I’m a fourth-generation nurse. My great-grandmother owned a nursing home, my grandmother was a nurse administrator at New England Memorial Hospital, and my mother was a nurse administrator for gerontology in a nursing home. There is quite a legacy there,” Dr. Dunker shares. She grew up on the hospital grounds of New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham, Massachusetts, where she worked her first job as a transporter. Nursing, modeled as a family tradition, felt like a natural profession for her to pursue.
Dr. Dunker attended Atlantic Union College (AUC), earning her AS in 2000, BSN in 2001, and MSN from Regis College in 2004. Shortly thereafter, she and her family moved to Ohio, where she experienced teaching nursing for the first time—a path she has followed ever since. In 2008, she returned to New England, teaching at AUC and completing her DNP at Regis College. After finishing her DNP capstone project on nursing faculty development and core competencies at UMass Graduate School of Nursing, she was invited to join the faculty there in 2010 as the school’s first full-time DNP.
Those early years at UMass were exciting. At the time, DNP/PhD collaboration was far from the norm, and she found these opportunities deeply rewarding. After holding several positions, Dr. Dunker moved to a tenured role at Worcester State University as RN coordinator.
Her next career milestone was serving as Dean of Nursing at a for-profit institution in Tennessee. While this position offered leadership experience, she realized her true calling was in not-for-profit Christian higher education. In 2021, an offer from PUC aligned her leadership goals with her personal values. Four years at PUC flew by, and then LLUSN presented an opportunity to fulfill her long-standing desire to lead graduate nursing programs.
Though the decision to leave PUC was not easy, Dr. Dunker had already developed a strong, collaborative relationship with LLUSN Dean Dr. Shawn Collins, who encouraged her to complete her PhD—a program he had previously completed. “When [Dr. Collins] called and said there was an opening here at Loma Linda, I thought, ‘How often do you get to go to a position where you already know you are going to like working with your boss?'”
Dr. Dunker considers herself fortunate to have discovered the joy of teaching early in her career. A mentor once told her, “The impact that you are going to have will not just be on your patients. Think about how many students you will have, and how many patients they will each care for.” She carries this guidance into her teaching, striving to approach each student as both a unique individual and an opportunity to positively influence thousands of lives.
In her new role leading the MS/DNP programs, Dr. Dunker embodies authentic and transformational leadership, emphasizing the interconnectedness of staff, faculty, administrators, and students: “We do not exist without each other. This is a cooperative game we are playing, and when we win—we all win.” Her vision for the programs is to “lead my school in cultivating a learning community that fosters excellent academic education with an ethical and spiritual emphasis that promotes human growth and development.”
Dr. Dunker’s story is one of purpose, perseverance, and deep-rooted passion for nursing education. As she embarks on this new chapter at LLUSN, her commitment to excellence, collaboration, and faith-based leadership positions her to make a lasting impact on students, faculty, and the future of graduate nursing education.
Loma Linda University School of Nursing
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December has already proven to be a busy and meaningful month, filled with moments that reflect the heart of our district and the strength of our community. While there is much more to share in the weeks ahead, I wanted to highlight some of the experiences and events from the last many days. Together, they capture a season marked by professional growth, community pride, heartfelt remembrance, and the joy that naturally accompanies the holidays.
The month began with the annual Florida School Board Association and Florida Association of District School Superintendents Joint Conference. This is the largest gathering of its kind in the state, bringing together nearly every school board member and superintendent from across Florida. Leaders gathered for meetings, planning, and purposeful professional development. What stood out most were the thoughtful conversations about the future of education. Topics such as artificial intelligence, personalized instruction, operational efficiencies, expanded choice programs, and the upcoming legislative session were central to these discussions. I had the honor of co presenting a session alongside the Google Florida Head of State for K12 Education and one of their lead engineers, focused on the use of an AI tool in education. These conversations strengthened our understanding of what lies ahead and reinforced our shared responsibility to guide our schools with intention and care. I left the conference encouraged by the dedication of leaders across Florida who remain deeply committed to students and educators.
One of the most memorable moments of the week was the celebration at Lecanto High School honoring internationally recognized actor and LHS alumnus Miles Teller. Welcoming him home was a point of pride for the entire community. Lecanto officially named its theater the Miles Teller Theatre at the Curtis Peterson Auditorium, a tribute that reflects both his remarkable accomplishments and the appreciation of the school that helped shape his early years. The excitement among students, alumni, and staff was inspiring. This special moment deserves a fuller story, and I plan to share more reflections in a future piece.
The week also carried a solemn and heartfelt tone as we gathered at Crystal River High School for a ceremony at Bramlitt Stadium celebrating the life of School Resource Officer Deputy Rod. His influence on students and staff was profound. Hearing stories from those who worked alongside him reminded everyone of the lasting impact one caring individual can have within a school community. It was a moving tribute to a man who dedicated his life to creating a safe and supportive environment for young people.
Amid these moments of reflection and celebration, the holiday season brought its own energy and sense of togetherness. Our district participated for the first time in the Crystal River Citrus County Chamber Christmas Parade. The transportation team brought creativity and holiday spirit to life by decorating one of our school buses, transforming it into a bright and joyful part of the parade. Staff members, leaders from the Crystal River compound, and their children walked alongside the bus as families lined the streets. Seeing the smiles, waves, and cheers along the route was a powerful reminder of the strong bond between our schools and the communities we serve.
The celebrations continued with our district Christmas holiday luncheon held at the train depot in Inverness. This gathering gave us the opportunity to pause and recognize the dedication of team members whose work often happens quietly behind the scenes. The holiday season offers a natural moment for gratitude, and I was thankful for the chance to celebrate colleagues who make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and families. It was a warm reminder of how fortunate we are to work alongside people who care deeply about our district.
With all of the celebration taking place, important work was also happening across the district. We held our December regular School Board meeting and continued with numerous other activities, including school visits, time spent working directly with families, and additional professional trainings. These efforts are essential to keeping our schools focused, responsive, and centered on the needs of students.
Later in the week, we celebrated another important milestone at the Withlacoochee Technical College Winter Graduation for the Class of 2025 and 2026. The ceremony was held at the newly named Miles Teller Theatre at the Curtis Peterson Auditorium and honored graduates from each of the workforce programs, along with our GED graduates. Watching these students cross the stage was a powerful reminder of the role career and technical education plays in opening doors to opportunity. Their accomplishments reflected determination, resilience, and a commitment to building strong futures.
As we move toward the Christmas break, I am filled with gratitude for everyone across our district. Our students, families, educators, support staff, and leaders all contribute to a community that feels connected and purposeful. These weeks have been busy, but they have also offered meaningful reminders of why this work matters. I look forward to sharing more stories and reflections in the days ahead and remain thankful for each person who helps our students grow, learn, and thrive.
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My generation grew up surrounded by the echoes of World War II. It was a conflict that shaped the world and left an indelible mark on our families—our grandfathers, uncles, and countless others. They carried the scars of its horrors, served with unwavering courage, and persevered through unimaginable hardship. For them, one date was etched into memory, spoken of with solemnity and raw emotion: December 7th, 1941.
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was a moment of stark, brutal awakening for the United States. With the exception of perhaps September 11th, 2001, our great nation had never witnessed such a brazen act of aggression on its own soil. That single Sunday morning shattered the illusion of American invincibility and instantly thrust a divided nation into a global conflict. It was a turning point that demanded a response.
Amidst the shock, the anger, and the smoke over Hawaii, a deeper spirit emerged: determination and resilience. The American people, united by a common purpose, rose to the challenge with unparalleled resolve. They rushed to enlist, volunteered their efforts on the home front, and sacrificed countless comforts for the war effort. They were driven by a profound love of country, a fierce belief in freedom, and a commitment to a cause that transcended individual self-interest.
Today, on this solemn anniversary of December 7th, it is crucial that we do more than just remember. We owe it to the “Greatest Generation” to honor their legacy, to learn from their sacrifices, and to fiercely cherish the freedoms they fought so hard to secure. In that spirit, I encourage you to take a moment to witness history. View this five-minute video of President Franklin D. Roosevelt‘s address to a joint session of Congress on December 8, 1941. Witness his words, filled with both righteous anger and unshakable determination, as he rallied the nation to defend itself against tyranny. Let his voice serve as a reminder of the indomitable spirit that has always defined the American people.
As we reflect on the sacrifices of the past, we must also embrace the responsibility that comes with our inheritance. We are the stewards of the legacy left by those who fought for freedom. It is our duty to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain by striving to live up to their ideals, by promoting peace and understanding, and by upholding the democratic values that make our nation great.
May God bless the United States of America, and may we continue to honor and protect the freedom for which so many bravely gave their all.
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