News
By Deb Boelkes, We The People, 8-7-24
When I contacted each of the candidates on Monday during Tropical Storm Debby to alert them of the WTP meeting cancellation, School Board Member candidate for District 2, Roody Joinville, immediately expressed sincere disappointment and requested to meet with me in-person–as soon as possible–to share his thoughts, concerns and goals regarding the School District and Board. I therefore met with Roody yesterday. Below are some of the most salient issues we discussed:
Roody’s background: Roody was born in Haiti and migrated to the US at age 15 with his parents. Upon arrival, Roody spoke French and Creole, but did not speak English. He attended high school in Ft. Lauderdale, loved playing soccer, and now speaks five languages fluently. Roody attributes his success in life to his high school teachers who believed in him. He wanted to be like his American teachers when he grew up.
Roody’s Education: Bachelors degree in French from Florida International University; Master’s Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Nova Southeastern University (a private university in Florida); Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership; Currently pursuing a doctorate.
Work Experience: Started out teaching Reading in 1997-1998 at Liberty City (a “tough” neighborhood in North Miami); moved to Jax and taught French at First Coast High School; became a middle school teacher and Assistant Principal at Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies in Jax (a college-prep magnet school); Opened Yulee High School as Asst. Principal for 6 years, then became Principal. Currently serves as Asst. Principal at First Coast High School in Duval County.
Family: Roody’s son, Sebastian, was the 1st black Valedictorian in a Nassau County high school. Seb was also a star soccer player, his team went to the state championships. Roody’s daughter is the 1st black Salutatorian (second highest ranked graduate) in Nassau County. Wife, Victoria, is a physician who serves US Veterans in a Primary Care Clinic in GA.
Other: Roody is strongly Christian and proud that in his 27-year work history, he only missed one week of work (due to a death in the immediate family).
Strengths as a Candidate: Roody has first-hand understanding of school budgets and teachers’ issues; he understands that students are harder to motivate these days due to rapid gratification from cellphones; and that schools need to make subject matter more relevant and interesting to develop students’ critical thinking skills. Roody is the only candidate with a child in the Nassau County School system (a daughter is entering her senior year at Yulee HS).
What the NC School District does well: With the county’s suburban and rural setting, there is more parental involvement than he’s seen in Duval and other major cities; teachers who attended school here are dedicated and loyal; Newcomers to FL gravitate here due to the District’s A-rating.
District challenges: Chronic student absenteeism throughout the district and at all grade levels; student discipline (such as fights); inability to hold parents accountable; workplace environment (counter-productive cliques between administration, teachers and Board members).
Why he’s running: It’s his calling; the board needs fresh thinking (some members have served for decades); to fight corruption.
Deb Boelkes is a local businesswoman, active in civic affairs.
