Sandy Hightower Department 297-1010 Ext. 6250 Office:  LLC - 2249 E-mail address: shightower@polk.edu

Sandra L. Hightower, the oldest of three children in a career Air Force family, was educated in 12 schools across seven states and on the island of Guam before graduating from Robinson High School in Tampa, Florida.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University in 1965, a Master of Arts in Adult Education with an emphasis in Training and Staff Development in 1990, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in 1998, both from the University of South Florida. Her specialization area includes learning styles, critical thinking strategies, and collaborative learning, with certification in the Johnson and Johnson Cooperative Learning model.  She also holds a Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate in the areas of elementary and early childhood education.  During the 25 years between her first two degrees, Sandy taught school and worked part-time in a variety of training and community volunteer positions.  She and her husband of 39 years have four children, three daughters and one son.  They are now enjoying their five grandchildren and looking forward to more.  For the past eleven years, Sandy has been employed at Polk Community College as a Tech Prep Specialist, Instructor, and Program Manager for the Early Childhood Education A.S. Degree program. She currently serves as state president for the Florida Community College Early Childhood Educator's Network.