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Coffee Hour with BEAT solution is one that is our go-to for most business challenges: A Partnership. Avalon Park Group partnered with OCPS to accelerate the timeline of the Avalon Park schools, we donated land, built, and financed four of the Avalon-area schools and kicked in the money needed for the Timber Creek High School football stadium and marching field for the band.
Now that we had the schools, the question became how do we make them the best? A key moment for me was when I met Pam Sanders. Pam was the principal who led Avalon Elementary school for 14 years and while there, achieved Blue Ribbon School status, which identifies the school as one of the top 300 schools in the United States. My question to her was, “How can we become the best school in central Florida?” My expectation was to Her answer, “That is easy, hear, 2 golf courses, a wawe need the best teachers.” ter park or some other Pam came up with a great outstanding amenities. idea, which in part is the Having no children of my reason Avalon Elementary own at that time, I was became such a great school. surprised to hear their She told me, “Beat teachers unanimous response was are among the least travnew, good schools! This eled people. Their income was the number one item for each of the REALTORS does not allow them to travel and see the world. there that day. Great, new In fact, some of my teachschools. It made a lot of ers have not even been out sense, of course families with kids are first and fore- of the state and for sure most looking for a commu- never abroad.” She went on to ask me, “Don’t you nity with a great school. think a teacher who can The design of the home experience the world firstand even the location are hand, see the Great Wall of secondary. China in Beijing live, talk to educators in Europe, However, when I met Africa and Australia would with Ron Blocker, who be a better teacher?” I fulat the time was the head ly agreed and Avalon Park of Orange County Public Group quickly worked Schools “OCPS,” it did with her to develop and not look like an easy task. sponsor a program to send According to the school board’s timeline, the much the teachers from Avalon Elementary around the needed and requested globe. The teachers went schools would have not to Switzerland first (my nabeen built for many years tive country), but over the after Avalon Park broke ground. We needed a solu- years they also traveled to China, Africa, South Amertion to bring these schools ica and even Australia. to our community. The More than 20 years ago when planning Avalon Park Orlando from scratch, I invited about 20 area REALTORS to the Citrus Club in Orlando. At that time Avalon Park was in the middle of nowhere, at the end of a dead-end, 2-lane road, and the only residents were cows. My question to these REALTORS was: What would make you bring homebuyers to Avalon Park?
Even today I get Christmas cards from teachers still at Avalon Elementary telling me how much they learned by seeing the world and gaining experience by dialoguing with educators all over the world. Avalon Park was the fastest selling community in central Florida for four years in a row, sold over 600 homes in 2006 and now in 2021 is 99% built out. This was not because of our location, but because of our approach of live, learn, work and play. Quite often people want to know what is the one reason that made Avalon Park so successful. My response is that there are over a hundred reasons, and all of them have roots in great partnerships with the community. However, if I get pressed to come up with one reason, it would be the schools and our partnerships with them. I am not political when it comes to schools. I believe that public schools, charter schools, and private schools are all important and can be successful as long as they are passionate and dedicated to education. Avalon Park Group supports and works with them all. As a matter of fact, I believe in choices. All Avalon Park public schools are outstanding, and with the addition of the Avalon Pinecrest charter school, private schools
like Creative Global Schools, and multiple preschools, the residents have choices for their children’s education. I like this a lot. I have always viewed schools as the center of any community. The relationships and interactions between the schools and the community are a key element for both of their successes. For instance, I love when school children come to Encore Assisted Living community, they truly are a blessing to the seniors in our community. Another example of this type of relationship is the community service performed by local students at community events and service projects. Long before Avalon Park had any amenities constructed, we were able to get creative with our relationship with Timber Creek High School by creating a Co-Use Agreement. This agreement allowed the community members to use features like the school gym and media center in exchange for financing of the football stadium. The interactions go on and on and continue to make us smile. We are proud of our schools and the students, staff and families they represent! We wish you all success as we kick-off another school year. Welcome Back to School!
GET IN TOUCH - Have an inclusion for the Avalon Park Sun? Email: info@AvalonParkSun.com - Editorial Staff: Publisher: Beat Kahli Copy Editor: Stephanie Lerret Graphic & Layout Editor: Kenzie Farrish 407.658.6565 3801 Avalon Park East Blvd. #400 Orlando, FL 32828
