Colonel Maurice "Buzz" Healy Retires from Cedar Key School

Colonel Maurice "Buzz" Healy recently retired as Cedar Key School's Guidance Counselor after ten years of service. Col. Healy, who also retired from the United States Army after thirty years of service in 1993, received many accolades during his tenure at Cedar Key School, including Teacher of the Year in 1995.





In recognition of his outstanding achievements at Cedar Key School, Col. Healy agreed to an interview.

After a career as an Army Infantry Officer, how did you enjoy teaching at Cedar Key School?

Working with the students at Cedar Key School was super. I've enjoyed associating with the students and sharing the school experience with them. Serving as Cedar Key's only Big Brother/Big Sister mentor was also a very special experience for me.

You were involved with many projects at Cedar Key School. Tell me about some of them.

The first project I was involved with was the movement of ball fields to Rosewood. I joined a committee that was looking for a site to put the fields after the school's expansion encroached on the one field located at the school. I made a presentation on the school's need for a new ball field to the Levy County School Board, Levy County Commissioner Lilly Rooks found the property, and Paul Johnson, as Superintendent, purchased the land. Our original concept was to have three ball fields backed to each other. Somehow, that was changed to the two fields we have now.

How were you involved in the creation of Cedar Key School's block schedule?

It was my idea to go to a block schedule for the high and middle schools. I did the research and pitched the idea to the teachers, parents, and students. After careful consideration, we decided to go with the block scheduling. After the first two years of block scheduling, we surveyed our students, parents, and faculty to verify what we were doing was what we wanted to do. Everyone agreed block scheduling was working very successfully. Block scheduling has allowed Cedar Key High and Middle Schools much more flexibility than it had in the past. Our student and school test scores continue to validate the schedule. The block schedule, combined with a master schedule that supports a college preparation curriculum and a school to work curriculum, allows our students and faculty maximum flexibility.

What other projects were you involved with?

Cedar Key School was the first school in Levy County to use the Florida Virtual School as a tool to challenge some of our more talented students. Through that on-line school system, we were also the first school in Levy County to offer Advanced Placement courses. Other schools in Levy County could offer dual enrollment courses, but, over the years, it has been difficult for Central Florida Community College and the Levy County School Board to find instructors willing to come to Cedar Key. We offered video courses. Then, as Central Florida Community College produced on-line courses, we went to that venue for our students. Cedar Key School's students have been the real pioneers for on-line education in Levy County. However, when we can get instructors to come to Cedar Key, we like that the best.

Tell me about Cedar Key School's agreement with the local water management district.

Mr. Richard Whitman, Cedar Key School's science teacher, and I devised a concept to have a student apprentice with the wastewater program in Cedar Key. The local water management district agreed to employ a student after school hours and/or through the School to Work program. The Levy County School Board agreed to fund an on-line preparation program for certification and Mr. Whitman agreed to mentor/tutor the student. Our goal was to qualify the student with certification in wastewater management by the time he/she graduated.

What accomplishment at Cedar Key School are you most proud of?

I think it's the fact that one third of Cedar Key School's graduates qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship. Some years it is a little more, some years it is a little less. However, overall, one out of three graduates has part of their tuition paid by the State because of outstanding scholarship. While the State was offering a teacher scholarship, we had a graduate qualify ever year.

Now that you are retired, what do you plan to do with your time?

I plan to continue my involvement in the Cedar Key community through Cedar Key United Methodist Church, where I serve as the Chairperson of the Administrative Council, and other community organizations. Although I am retired, I still plan to work with the children of the community.

There is speculation that you will run for Levy County Superintendent of Schools. Will you?

I've been asked by several people from across Levy County to consider it. I will consider running. However, I am not prepared to make a decision at this time.