By Kevin Smetana, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
TAMPA — Before kids took over the hallways at Cleveland Elementary, Megan Allen arrived, her hands full and a smile on her face.
The 2010 Florida Teacher of the Year admitted that she was probably just as nervous as the students about to fill her second-floor classroom.
"Every year, it's total nerves," she said. "You want to do your best for the kids and make their first day very exciting and hands on … and just inspire them to try their best for the rest of the year."
About 190,000 students are projected to attend public school in Hillsborough County this year, according to the district. The first-day attendance numbers will be announced Tuesday afternoon.
Outside Cleveland Elementary, parents walked with their kids in a light drizzle. Paula Gomez and Irvin Noel Gonzalez Ayala were excited for their two sons, one entering first grade, the other kindergarten. The boys wore navy polos, cargo shorts and matching shoes.
"They're not nervous," Gomez said as Jandrew and Erwin ate breakfast in the cafeteria. "They just want to get up early to go to school."
In Riverview, students and some parents stood outside Giunta Middle awaiting the 9 a.m. start. Sixth-grader Hannah Younker was eager to begin the school year, though she knows there will be challenges making the transition from elementary to middle school.
In past years, "I already knew where my classes are, and I already knew the school," the 11-year-old said. "But I don't know this school."
Her parents planned to help her find homeroom Tuesday morning.
As of about 10 a.m., there were no reports of problems, schools spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said. Other than a lot of calls with bus-related questions, everything seemed to be going smoothly, "despite all this nasty weather," she said.
Back at Cleveland Elementary, Allen, 32, was returning to teaching after spending last school year traveling as an education ambassador.
The former fourth-grade instructor now teaches exceptional student education.
She had a surprise for her students on their first day: earthworms. The teacher dug them up herself to use while working with the kids on observation skills.
"It's gooey," she said. "It gets the kids excited."
Kevin Smetana can be reached at ksmetana@sptimes.com or (813) 661-2439.