As I enter my thirty-seventh year in public education, I do so with the same enthusiasm and anticipation that I had in my first year. During my career, I had the opportunity to teach language arts and social studies at the middle, high school and college levels for the first twelve years. For the past twenty-five years, I have worked in school administration as a district supervisor, assistant principal, principal and superintendent. I earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1973, a master's in administration and supervision in 1977 and an education specialist's in English Education in 1985. I hope to draw on these past experiences as I enter this new and exciting position as principal of Bay Haven Charter Academy.

My lovely wife Jane and I have been happily married for thirty-six years and have been blessed with two wonderful children, Brian and Jill both adults now. We also have one beautiful grandson, Hunter, who is two years old.

I am looking forward to being a part of the Bay Haven family and contributing all that I can to assist the school to continue with its already established record of educational excellence and success.

Chuck Polk brings a potpourri of experience to Bay Haven. Chuck received his Bachelors of Science in Professional Administration from Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida. Chuck also taught at the collegiate level as an adjunct instructor with Gulf Coast Community College and the Attorney Generals office.

Prior to arriving at Bay Haven, Chuck after 20 years retired as a Captain with the Bay County Sheriff's Office where he was the Division Commander for Community Services. During Chuck's tenure at the sheriff's office he spent 10 years involved with the Bay District Schools as a School Resource Officer at Everitt Middle School and Rutherford High School.

Chuck was also instrumental in writing policy at the district for school safety, law related education, and helped bring the D.A.R.E. program to Bay County.

I have enjoyed my many roles at Bay Haven as a 5th grade math/science teacher, middle school language arts teacher, reading coach, and now assistant principal. I have taught for many years at the high school, college, middle school, and elementary levels. My degrees include a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in Education from Florida State University (FSU). I have also completed the Educational Leadership Program at FSU. My areas of certification include Educational Leadership grades K-12, K-8 National Board Certification, English grades 6-12, Reading grades K-12, and Elementary Education grades K-6. I also hold an ESOL endorsement.

My teaching career has included teaching at every level, elementary, middle, high, and college. The experiences have given me much insight about students at each developmental stage and helped prepare me for my work in administration. My educational interests are varied and include curriculum development, character development, and student motivation. Helping students find their own purpose for learning and helping them take ownership of it is one of my priorities as an educator.

I look forward to another great year at Bay Haven.