THINKING CAP
News & Deals for Our Hillsborough Schools Team - Jan. 2020
In our January edition...
We've found some great deals ESPECIALLY for Hillsborough County Public Schools staff
Meet our district's newly named 2020 Teacher of the Year, Instructional Support Employee of the Year and Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year!
Enter to win 5 free meals courtesy of our friends at PDQ
Congratulations to last month's winner, Kathleen Boger, ESE Teacher at Palm River Elementary!
WELCOME TO OUR INCOMING SUPERINTENDENT, ADDISON DAVIS
Addison Davis is currently Superintendent of Clay County Public Schools—but his career began more than twenty years ago as a Physical Education and Earth Space Science Teacher in Duval County. He rose up through the ranks as a Vice-Principal and Principal in Duval County and was appointed to numerous leadership positions there.
In 2016, he was elected Superintendent of Clay County Public Schools where, under his leadership, the county made tremendous gains in grad rates and the number of "A" and "B" schools.
Three Fast Facts about Superintendent Davis:
- He loves to run. He jogs at least 4 miles every day.
- He loves spending time with his family. His wife, Natalie, is his best friend. They have been married 19 years. They have two daughters, Madisyn, who is a freshman softball player at UCF, and Kaitlyn, an 8th grader, who plays volleyball.
- His favorite food is candy! Specifically, jelly beans and Sour Patch Kids. Even more specifically... "Tropical" flavored Sour Patch Kids!
OH, WHAT A NIGHT!
Congratulations to our 2020 Excellence in Education award winners!
"Every teacher deserves this moment." - Miranda Harwood, 2020 Teacher of the Year
It was a beautiful evening, with delicious food served by some of our amazing high school culinary programs and student reporters roaming the room interviewing the nominees, our Superintendent and School Board members.
All the finalists were deserving of the top honor but only one extraordinary educator could win the top prize!
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Keyada George from Wilson Middle School. Mrs. George has been a Hillsborough County Public Schools teacher for four years. When she is not teaching, Keyada chairs the Sunshine Social Club for staff at Wilson Middle School, works in the HOST before-school program and leads many schoolwide spirit activities for students. She credits her husband, two children and her mom for her drive and success.
2020 Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Angela White, Colson Elementary School. Angie White is a graduate of Hillsborough Schools and began her career more than 27 years ago at Dover Exceptional Center volunteering to teach sign language to parents. Now a full-time sign language interpreter, she has worked with all ages from Pre-K to post-graduation. Angie's current position serves as a critical role in a newly implemented fused model that allows her to work fluidly with hearing and deaf students. She uses resources to ensure that all students have access to the curriculum and services the needs of 12 highly diverse deaf and hard of hearing children. Angie enjoys being a soccer mom and camping with her family.
2020 Teacher of the Year: Miranda Harwood, Brooker Elementary School. Miranda Harwood has been in the Florida educational system for 14 years, with 10 years in Hillsborough Schools. She is an alumna of University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a master's degree in Reading Education and an endorsement in ESOL and Reading. Miranda is enthusiastic, very competitive and highly driven toward creating a dynamic learning environment for her children to develop a lifelong eagerness for knowledge through the experiences in the classroom.
2020 Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, Keyada George, Wilson Middle School
2020 Teacher of the Year, Miranda Harwood, Brooker Elementary School
2020 Instructional Support Employee of the Year, Angela White, Colson Elementary School
Avonlea Jewelry—Hillsborough Schools educators will receive 25% off
Educators get free admission to MOSI with valid district i.d.
Hillsborough Schools employees can take 15% off all shoes, leggings, bags, socks, bedding and more when entering the code EDU15 at checkout
GRAD RATES INCREASE AGAIN—FIVE STRAIGHT YEARS OF GAINS
This accomplishment belongs to YOU as you work alongside our students, our families and our partners. We climb together! Thank you...
- Did you know, 893 more students than the year before earned a high school diploma in our district? That's A LOT of diplomas to be handed out!
- Our African American students increased their graduation rate to 79.8%—up 19.8 percentage points since 2014.
- Middleton High School increased its graduation rate by more than 29 percentage points over five years—an astounding figure!
- Newsome High School has our district's highest graduation rate at 98.7%.
- Plant City High School had the highest one year graduation rate increase in 2019, jumping 3.6 percentage points to 96.8.
- Hillsborough High School increased its graduation rate by 3.1 percentage points to 90.2%—the highest ever for this school.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR STAFF
Hillsborough County Public Schools will be working with the U.S. Census Bureau to raise awareness of the 2020 Census, which will focus on Census Day, April 1, 2020
The Census Bureau is making resources available to our schools and teachers to help explain the importance of the census to students. These resources include curriculum for classroom teachers, videos for the morning show and more. You can find these resources at 2020census.gov
Early Childhood Literacy Fair in the SouthShore area - free books, storytime, face-painting, snacks, games and more
The Literacy Fair is Saturday, February 1st from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the SouthShore Regional Library. That's located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin
Your Voice Matters! Please fill out this important survey about our schools
Parent, student and support staff surveys will be accessible through March 26th. Instructional staff will have access to their surveys until February 21st.
Your voice matters! Feedback allows us to evaluate and prioritize our school climate-related needs and make improvements to ensure student success and employee satisfaction. NEW this year, all support staff will receive access to an electronic survey through their school email address. Teachers will receive instructions during a staff meeting.
WHO'S SPECTACULAR AT YOUR SCHOOL?
Every month in Thinking Cap we ask for nominations of outstanding teachers & support staff to be featured in next month's edition!
Here are some of last month's nominations...
Faydria Johnson—Teacher at Mann Middle
She has been an amazing friend and mentor as I have worked through my first year of teaching. Without her expertise, guidance and knowledge, I never would have made it through my first week. She is the essence of what it is to be a teacher. She's caring and she understands how important building relationships with her students really is.
Nominated by: Christopher Volk
Marissa Lockerby—1st Grade Teacher at Gorrie Elementary
Marissa Lockerby is a phenomenal first grade teacher at Gorrie. She has the perfect combination of love and instructional skills needed to meet the needs of every single student she has in her classroom. She works collaboratively with ESE staff to seek information and solutions that will work best for her students... And her enthusiasm is contagious!
Nominated by: Hille Craig
Laura Hottenstein—6th Grade Counselor at Rodgers Middle
I nominate Laura Hottenstein. She goes above and beyond for our students and staff/faculty. She not only provides counseling support for her kids but she helps families get connected to mental health resources, assists with school safety in the cafeteria, does walker duty after school, helps with testing coordination, jumps in to assist teachers whenever needed and is an advocate for education within the county and in Tallahassee.
Nominated by: Jeannette Alcantara, 8th Grade Counselor at Rodgers Middle
Monica Davison—Language Arts Teacher at Woodson PreK-8
Monica Davison is an outstanding educator who commands the respect from her students and peers through her tenacity and the dedication she gives. Everyone knows she means business! She goes above and beyond in giving of her time to help students, even if they are not in her class. She serves as our track coach and does whatever it takes to show others there is greatness in them.
Nominated by: Dr. P. Tucker-Johnson
Eduardo Crespo—ELL Paraprofessional at Knights Elementary
He is so talented that he can fit in any academic area. He can entertain students by playing any musical instrument; jump in at any grade level and help students with math or the solar system (his favorite!). Just a few weeks ago, he showed up to school with his own telescope so students and teachers could enjoy seeing the sun and predict weather patterns. Mr. Crespo not only works with ELL students to support them academically but during his lunch and after school he worked with students to tutor them in math to prepare them for the math bowl.
Nominated by: Elizabeth Smiley, Migrant Advocate at Knights Elementary
Kim Watkins—Area 4 Office
Kim Watkins is the epitome of professionalism, kindness and courteousness. She is the voice on the phone who often handles the tough parent complaints, calls from school sites regarding bus issues, student concerns, etc. Her ability to deescalate a situation is phenomenal. She always looks out for the best interests of students and finds ways to problem solve with poise and kindness. She is AWESOME and that is an understatement!
Nominated by: Lia Crawford
WATCH US GLOW!
How cool is this? Shout out to Lanier Elementary for finding a creative way to encourage attendance, which is a huge factor in student success! Students were treated to a "Glow Party" if they attended school every day for the previous nine weeks. Principal Sarah Garcia says attendance has jumped because of fun incentives like this one!
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Email: newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Website: HillsboroughSchools.org
Location: 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-272-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughSch
Twitter: @HillsboroughSch