The Okaloosa County School Board approved Robert McElroy as the Program Director of Maintenance, Ryan Gore as the Program Director of Transportation, and Judy Peacock as the Program Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) at the May 28, 2024, School Board meeting.
Robert McElroy Named Program Director of Maintenance
Robert McElroy, Jr. is a proud product of the Okaloosa County School District, he attended Plew Elementary School, Ruckel Junior High School, and is a 1988 graduate of Niceville Senior High School. Upon graduating from high school, Robert enlisted and served our country in the United States Navy from 1989-1993. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1993, he attended and obtained his Associate of Arts from Okaloosa Walton Community College. He then attended the University of Florida where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Science. Mr. McElroy was accepted into the Pro-Teach Program at the University of Florida and received his Master of Education in Social Studies in 1999.
Mr. McElroy started his career in public education in Okaloosa County in 2000 where he taught social studies to the students of Bruner Middle School, Lewis Middle School, and Fort Walton Beach High School. While still teaching at Fort Walton Beach High School, he made the decision to obtain his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida. In 2019, he joined Baker School as the Dean of Students before being appointed Assistant Principal at Meigs Middle School in 2019 and then an Assistant Principal at Niceville High School in 2021.
Mr. McElroy and his family are excited that he will be moving into his new role as the Program Director of Facilities and Maintenance for Okaloosa County School District.
Ryan Gore Named Program Director of Transportation
Ryan Gore is a product of the Okaloosa County School District. He attended Mary Esther Elementary School, and Bruner Middle School, and graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School. After high school, Ryan attended William Carey College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he taught math and coached for two years in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
In 2004 Mr. Gore returned home to Okaloosa County to continue his career while earning a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of West Florida. Throughout his career in Okaloosa County, he has served in a variety of roles to include two years as a math teacher, approximately seven years as a district administrator in the areas of Title I and Information Systems, as well as seven years in high school administration. Mr. Gore’s current position is in the Curriculum and Instruction department where he oversees textbooks and athletics for the district.
Judy Peacock Named Program Director of Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
Judy Peacock is a product of Escambia County Schools where she began her career as an educator teaching 5th grade. She continued serving students as a teacher of the gifted and talented in a resource model for K-5th grade. Judy then transitioned to the position of Instructional Technology Specialist for the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) for 7 years where she served Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County School Districts. Before joining Okaloosa County, she was the Region 1 Technology Coordinator for Florida’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Project serving 19 districts in the panhandle.
Ms. Peacock has been in the Okaloosa County School District for 8 years. She started as the Assistive Technology Specialist serving all of the schools in the district prior to transitioning to the position of ESE Program Specialist. In that role she oversaw all of the district’s related service programs. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, her master’s degree in Instructional Technology and Design, and her Specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.
Ms. Peacock is grateful for the opportunity to move into this new position and is looking forward to working closely with ESE and district staff in a continued effort to support the needs of all students.
Congratulations!