Posted by
Tanya Arja / Erin Maloney
on
11/16/2022 1:01:00 PM
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tanya Arja or Erin Maloney
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Office of Communications
813-272-4060
Tampa, Fl. (November 16, 2022) – Hillsborough County Public Schools students have an exciting day ahead of them on Thursday, November 17, as visitors are welcomed into schools to discuss and demonstrate their professions and hobbies during the Great American Teach-In.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn firsthand from community members about careers and interests students may not have known about previously. Speakers will come throughout the day to talk with students about the importance of getting a good education and the paths that are available to them.
“The Great American Teach-In affords our learners the ability to explore career opportunities that await them after graduation. Exposing students to these professions now sets the stage for a strong and robust workforce that will benefit not only our students but our entire community," said Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Addison Davis.
Superintendent Davis and School Board Members will take part in the Teach-In visiting classrooms to talk about their roles and responsibilities in the school district.
The speakers this year will also include athletes, community leaders, animal advocates, military personnel, doctors, law enforcement officers, fire safety officials, banking professionals, and local hobbyists. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Forest Hills Elementary | Rhea Law- USF President | Role of the university president and USF’s partnership with HCPS | 11 a.m. |
Miles Elementary | Meb Keflezighi | Olympic 2004 Silver Medalist - Marathon | 12:30 p.m. |
Pride Elementary
| Alvis Lockhart | Homeland Security | 8:10-9:40 a.m. |
Valrico Elementary | K. Fecho, Barton Malow Builders | Women in Construction | 9-10 a.m. |
Westshore Elementary
| Mayor Jane Castor | The job of the mayor | 8-8:30 a.m. |
York Innovation Academy | Henry Oliu - Tampa Bay Rays Announcer | Overcoming obstacles and perseverance | 9-10:30 a.m. |
USF President Rhea Law will visit Forest Hills Elementary School, in part, to highlight USF’s partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools. There are 14 USF education interns currently working at Forest Hills Elementary who are on a path to become teachers in the district after graduation. Several individuals, including Forest Hills Principal Regina Gordon and teachers at the school are USF graduates creating a great deal of USF pride at this particular school.
The district’s goal is to ensure students have every resource and opportunity in front of them for a successful path. The Great American Teach-In is just one example of how the district partners with community members so that our graduates will have an immediate impact on the community. This past year, Hillsborough County Public Schools’ graduation rate set another all-time record high, soaring to 89.2% - capping off two consecutive years of graduation gains.