Ovett O. Wilson ED.S

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 Empowering individuals and organizations to discover their fullest potential through creative solutions, transformative learning, and dynamic leadership. I envision a world where every person and organization is inspired to lead with authenticity, communicate with clarity, and achieve their dreams with confidence, creating a ripple effect of positive growth and change. 

• Ovett Wilson was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After high school, he moved to Tampa to attend the University of South Florida, where he earned a bachelor's degree in English Education, a Master's in Educational Leadership, and an Ed.S. in Turnaround Educational Leadership.

• Mr. Wilson began his teaching career at Middleton High School, an inner-city school in Tampa. His passion for teaching and natural ability to connect with students quickly earned him a strong reputation, leading to accolades such as Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year and the Ida S. Baker Teacher Award. His enthusiasm for education extended beyond the classroom, and he later became a district trainer specializing in staff development.

• In 2006, Mr. Wilson's first role as an assistant principal was at Chamberlain High School, where he played a crucial role in transforming the school's culture and raising its grade to the first “A” status. He then served as the assistant principal for curriculum at Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy, a single-gender middle school, where he helped to accomplish the 2nd highest performance gains in the state of Florida. The school grade moved from a “C” performance to its first “A” ranking.  After two years, he took on the role of assistant principal at Van Buren Middle School to address the school's critical needs. In 2015, he was appointed Principal of Van Buren, where he revitalized the then struggling school.

• Mr. Wilson was subsequently given the challenge of leading two schools at the same time, Cahoon Elementary Magnet School and Van Buren Middle, with the goal of merging them into a new institution. Ultimately, he merged the two schools and created a new academic experience for the community, “The Dr. Carter G. Woodson PK-8 Leadership Academy”.  After five successful years he was asked to enhance Pizzo K-8, an inner-city school that sits on the campus of the University of South Florida.

• In addition to the principalship, he serves as a mentor and coach for assistant principal and principal across his district, state and nation. His passion and desire to develop the next generation of leaders is a burden on his heart. He is well sought after for his unique wisdom and approach towards system thinking, developing coaching structures for any organization, instructional framework implementation, building leadership capacity & expertise, establishing healthy climate & culture and equipping leaders with unique ways for meaningful parent, family, and community engagement.

• His advanced, specialized leadership development, to name a few, includes a specialist degree in turnaround leadership from the University of South Florida. Two certificate programs, Data Wise & Leading for Understanding, from Harvard University. He is a proud graduate of the Principal Induction Program (PIP) and The National Institute of School Leadership Program (NISL). Additionally, he has been trained by the Center of Educational Leadership (CEL) on the Instructional Leadership Academy approach. He is also a graduate of the (HELA) Academy, Hillsborough Executive Leadership Academy, where he developed and refined his executive leadership skills. He is also a certified John C. Maxwell coach, speaker and trainer and has served as a Ministerial Leader at his local church for over 2 decades. Most importantly, these developments do not compare to the episodic insights, wisdom and learning, every student, parent, teacher, coach, leadership team, assistant principal, etc., has imparted over his years of leadership.

• His track record shows that he has improved every school grade, culture and climate under his leadership and has led the most difficult schools within the 7th largest school district in the nation.  Most notably, he is the only leader within the district that has led at every grade band of the school leaders experience: K-5th , K-8th , 6th -8th  & 9-12th.  Mr. Wilson also knows how to train individuals to live a balanced work life where the demands of leadership do not destroy personal responsibilities. He teaches and shows how both can live in harmony through systems, processes, structures and boundaries. He is a big believer and champion of the mantra that “family is a priority” and nothing should compromise that unit.  Above all, Mr. Wilson values faith and cherishes his time with his wife, Dr. Adrianne Wilson, and their two wonderful sons, Jadon and Josiah.