In a historic leap, Treadway Elementary School in Leesburg has catapulted from a C to an A rating in Florida’s school accountability system, the only traditional public school in Lake County to jump two full letter grades this year. At the heart of the school’s success is Principal Dr. Venessa King, a veteran educator whose passion for students and commitment to excellence have turned potential into performance.
Under King’s leadership, Treadway Elementary earned 85 total points on the state’s new scoring scale, marking a significant achievement in academic growth and student proficiency. The A grade not only reflects student success in English language arts, math, science, and learning gains, but it also signals a dramatic shift in the school culture, one Dr. King knew was possible.
“My goal has always been to create a space of safety, trust, and teamwork,” says King, who calls herself the school’s “Mama Bear.” “We are deeply committed to the well being of our teachers. We want to be very nurturing. Being a teacher right now is not always the easiest thing so we make sure to put things in place to make them excited to come to school.”
With 23 years in education, 22 of them in Lake County, Dr. King brings a wealth of experience to the role. A graduate of Florida A&M University, she went on to earn her Master’s, Specialist, and Doctorate degrees from the American College of Education. Her career has been decorated with accolades, including multiple Teacher of the Year honors, a Lake County Superintendent Achievement Award, and recognition as a High Impact Teacher for four consecutive years…