Dr. Joseph L. Carwise was a 36-year Pinellas County Schools educator before retiring. He began his teaching career as a mathematics teacher at Pinellas High in Clearwater before working in the district's Research Department. He was also assigned the task of overseeing the pupil assignment office and was responsible for enforcing the Federal Court Order of desegregation. Dr. Carwise was the first black member of the City of Clearwater Commission where he served from 1971 to 1976. The Pinellas County School Board named Carwise Middle School in his honor in 1991.