This morning, Putnam County School District proudly kicked off the 2025 NAVIGATE Summit with a powerful keynote session featuring internationally recognized educator and author George Couros at the C.L. Overturf, Jr. District Center in Palatka.
More than just a speaker, George helped set an inspiring tone for the next three days of learning, connection, and innovation. The energy in the room was electric as educators from across PCSD came together to invest in their own professional growth and collaborate around best practices that will impact student learning across every campus.
The morning began with a welcome from Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency, who reminded attendees of the meaningful progress our district has made over the past decade—progress fueled by bold decision‑making, strong community partnerships, and a relentless belief in what’s possible for Putnam County students.
He reflected on PCSD’s growth in graduation rates, career and technical education opportunities, and STEM initiatives, as well as the expansion of advanced programs like Cambridge and dual enrollment. He also highlighted the development of our Portrait of a Graduate, a vision shaped by local voices that defines the competencies we believe every student should have by graduation—competencies like collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability.
“By now, I hope you see how we are shaping the future by creating patterns of success,” Dr. Surrency said. “Success that shows on the faces of our students. Success that is being made possible by the people in this auditorium.”
And in true Putnam County fashion, we’re not only shaping the future—we’re also literally building the future. As part of our district‑wide revitalization plan, PCSD currently has three new schools under construction, with more projects on the horizon. These state‑of‑the‑art facilities are designed to support modern learning and reflect our district’s ongoing commitment to excellence.
The Summit continues through Wednesday, with breakout sessions led by PCSD educators and partner organizations—all designed to spark conversation, share innovative strategies, and strengthen our learning community.
A huge thank‑you to everyone who helped bring this experience to life—including our staff, facilitators, volunteers, and sponsors: SWANK, CDW‑G, and Church of the Heights Palatka.
And an extra‑special thank‑you to George Couros for inspiring us to dream bigger and lead with heart.
Click here to see photos from this morning’s incredible launch: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dw07TgSrcucCHn_pq0Xm8R-3ArU2zlah?usp=sharing