Candidate: Linda Evanchyk

ABOUT LINDA Linda Evanchyk retired from Okaloosa Schools in June 2017. She is an award-winning classroom teacher of 38 years. As a "product" of Okaloosa Schools-Choctaw High graduate in 1974- she is acutely aware of the benefits gained from being educated in Okaloosa County. She holds a Master's Degree from the University of West Florida. She is also a National Board Certified teacher. She has always been evaluated as "highly effective" on the District's instructional evaluation matrix.

EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION

• Holds an active Florida Teaching Certificate in English (grades 6-12), Journalism, (grades 6-12), Educational Media (grades Pre-K-12), and is endorsed in English for Speakers of Other Languages.
• Is one of the first teachers in Okaloosa County to attain a National Board Teaching Certificate (2003)
• Designated a Master Journalism Educator from the National Journalism Education Association (since 2000)

 1979 – 1984 Taught at Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida (Duval County)

1984 – 2017 Taught at Choctawhatchee High School

Northwest Florida State College- adjunct teacher for the Veterans Upward Bound Program

ACCOLADES AND AWARDS

• Named Distinguished Alumnus, Univ. of West Florida's 50th Anniv. 2017
• Inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2010
• Inducted into the Okaloosa County Women's Hall of Fame in 2016- Education Category
• Awarded the National Journalism Education Association Medal of Merit 2016
• Okaloosa School District's Teacher of the Year 1988
• Teacher of the Year at two schools-Raines High School (Jacksonville, FL) and Choctaw High School *Florida Journalism Teacher of the Year 1995 and 2009

PROJECTS AS A TEACHER ~Sponsored student publications-yearbook and newspaper for over 30 years.

• Wrote, designed and produced a newsletter for the employees of Okaloosa Schools.
• Leader of National Board Certified Teachers Program for 12 years.
• Organized the Okaloosa Schools 100th Anniv. celebration in 2015. ~Coordinator of the Choctaw High School 50th and 60th Anniversary celebrations.
• Contact for class reunions. ~Co-wrote a book, "Those Who Teach Do More: Tributes to American Teachers"
• Sought after presenter at journalism workshops throughout the country ~Kids Vote Project

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Member of :

Shalimar United Methodist Church. On the church council.

Impact 100

Emerald Coast American Business Women's Association

Ft. Walton Beach Woman’s Club 

Greater Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated 

Former Junior League member

Relay for Life participant

Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization-former liaison to schools

PERSONAL Linda is one of eight children born to the late Morris and Alice Patrick. Mr. Patrick was a veteran of the US Navy and retired from the US Air Force at Eglin AFB. He also retired from Civil Service. Mrs. Patrick worked in the Okaloosa District’s Schools food service for 20 years. 

Linda is married to Mike McMain, also a Choctaw High graduate. They have known each other since they were students at Pryor (Jr. High) Middle School. Mike is a US Navy Reserves veteran who now works as a systems analyst. They have one fur baby- Rudy- a Boston Terrier.

Linda and Mike both enjoy being involved with local school activities and attend events there. They enjoy going to concerts and traveling. Mike is an avid golfer, and Linda is a freelance writer and a DIY home decorator.