In November, Heather Kahoun was named as the new chairperson of the Osceola County School Board, succeeding Terry Castillo, who held the role for the past two years and will now serve as Vice-chair. Kahoun, a Kissimmee resident, mother of three, and the founder of a local marketing business, brings a diverse array of experiences and an unwavering dedication to her new position.
Kahoun’s ties to the Osceola County School District are profound, spanning from her early years as a student in the district to her tenure as a teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School. Her journey began when her fourth-grade teacher, who later became principal, hired her. For nearly a decade, Kahoun contributed to Pleasant Hill Elementary’s academic fabric, passionately molding young minds and fostering a tight-knit community.
Transitioning from teaching, Kahoun pivoted into the field of marketing, working with local marketing agency ‘Reach’ from 2014 to 2017. However, her commitment to education led her back to the Osceola School District, where she played a pivotal role in managing social media communications within the Community Relations Department, advocating once again for students, teachers, and school-related employees at the district.
Kahoun’s educational journey continued, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from The University of South Florida, underscoring her unwavering belief in the transformative power of learning.
After being named chairperson, Kahoun shared her vision for the future, stating, “I am truly honored to be appointed as the chair of the Osceola School Board, a role I see as a chance to set a powerful example for our students. My commitment goes beyond the administrative duties; it’s about representing the values we wish to instill in our young learners. I aim to lead by example, demonstrating the importance of collaboration, respect, continuous learning, and a pure desire to continue to improve our district and move us towards an A.”
Reflecting on her tenure as Chair, District 1 Board MemberTerry Castillo remarked, “I feel privileged to have led as board chair for two consecutive years, steering our district through a pivotal decision in selecting a new superintendent. Successfully accomplishing this task stands as the crowning achievement of my career. As I pass the torch to Chair Kahoun, I am filled with excitement and hope for the bright future of our district under new leadership.”
Kahoun, Castillo, and the rest of the board members with work closely with School District of Osceola County Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff, who has been in that role for over 100 days now, and leads a school district in the 10th fastest-growing county in the nation, the second-fastest in Florida.
“Osceola County is exploding, people are moving here all the time, and when they move here, it’s because of the schools. The neighborhoods they choose are based on the schools. Those schools don’t build culture themselves, they build culture with the teachers that actually provide the daily experiences to the kids,” Dr. Shanoff shared during an intern reception where he explained the crucial role educators play in shaping the district’s culture.
The county’s rapid growth will certainly continue to pose challenges in terms of staffing, facilities, infrastructure, and resource management for the school district, nevertheless, both Kahoun and Castillo are embracing these challenges with positivity, joining their Superintendent in recognizing the importance of addressing and managing the issues in order to ensure continued educational excellence in the district.
At a recent community event that featured Superintendent Shanoff, he shared of some potential changes in the district’s strategic planning structure, “We realize that five years really “locks us in” to something that requires adaptation halfway through, so we’re looking at maybe a 3-year strategic plan, with the 3rd year constantly being updated every year based on changing needs within the district.”
The district’s expansion underscores the pivotal role that educators play in shaping its culture. Dr. Shanoff emphasizes the profound significance of teachers in cultivating a vibrant educational environment that not only draws in families but also nurtures a positive learning atmosphere. Kahoun and Castillo share this conviction and aspire to elevate the teaching profession while reinforcing the district’s unwavering dedication to delivering outstanding educational experiences, and that those educational experiences will continue to change, and with hard work, improve.
“The school district is the largest employer in Osceola County, and with that, school systems often operate like cruise ships. They’re very difficult to turn. It’s very difficult to be a speed boat, when you’re operating a school district, so how can you be more nimble? You actually have to set up structures that allow you to make changes and turns when you need to,” Dr. Shanoff shared during St. Cloud Main Street’s Breakfast with the Pros.
As Osceola County continues to grow and evolve, Heather Kahoun assumes the position of chairperson, ready to adeptly navigate challenges, forge collaborations with fellow board members and stakeholders, and advocate for a vision that prioritizes education as a cornerstone of the community’s progress. Her path, which spans from student to teacher to community servant leader, embodies an unwavering commitment to nurturing a thriving educational landscape for generations to come.
The role is not without its challenges, and success requires treating others with respect and patience. However, according to Kahoun, she is more than ready to face these challenges head-on. She eagerly anticipates the opportunity to contribute to the district’s ongoing improvement efforts while maintaining a strong focus on students, teachers, staff, and the community.
