February 2009                                                                                              Vol. 8, Issue 2
Blue present
Blue present
 
In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Learn More
Hillsborough Education Foundation In The News
Hillsborough County Names 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year!
The Need for Career and Technical Training Has Never Been Greater
Foundation Honored at Florida State Fair
Thank You To Our January Supporters

Events Apple    

Upcoming Events
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Spotlight on Education
March 10, 2009
Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools Supply Store 
 
Learn all about the Foundation's many programs supporting Hillsborough County Public Schools.  This afternoon presentation includes lunch and a tour of the Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools Supply Store.  Fore more information and to register contact Laura Gruzca at (813) 740-7651. 
 
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Instructional Support Employee of the Year
March 31, 2009
Florida State Fairgrounds 
 
We will honor those who work each day to ensure the learning environment is enriching and safe for our students.  The Instructional Support Employee of the Year awards, are presented by Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union.  This event will showcase excellence in the supportive areas in our schools.  For more information please visit us online.
 
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Morganti-Wilder Hooked on Education Fishing Tournament
April 23-24, 2009
Westshore Yacht Club

 
This popular "catch and release" fishing tournament is hosted by The Morganti Group and WILDERARCHITECTURE, with proceeds benefiting the Hillsborough Education Foundation.  The event begins with a Captain's Dinner for all participants, sponsors, and boat captains on the night of Thursday, April 23.  The tournament begins early Friday morning, and features a goodie bag for all fishermen, and food and refreshments throughout the day.  The festivities conclude with an awards ceremony and catered dinner Friday evening.  Contact Mindi Zink at (813) 231-1937 for event sponsorship information or to enter a team.

Learn More

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Join Mailing List 
Hillsborough Education Foundation In The News! 
The Education Foundation had a busy month.  Check out our stories that recently hit newstands.

Nature's Classroom Rededication

Teacher of the Year 

 
 
Note From The President

The Foundation turned over the keys to the "new" Nature's Classroom in a ceremony at the campus on Tuesday, February 17th.  We've written in the past about our support for this award-winning environmental education program for all 6th graders in the school district, and we are pleased to have passed this milestone.  We were delighted to celebrate the final construction of all phases, made possible by the successful $4 million Students First Capital Campaign.  The campus looks wonderful and the students (and resident animals) love it!
 
There are too many people and organizations who make this community jewel successful to list them all here.  Check out this Tampa Tribune newspaper insert to see more information about Nature's Classroom and a complete list of donors to the campaign.  We will continue to seek community support for this program which the school district and Southwest Florida Water Management District remain committed to making successful.
Hillsborough County Names 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year!
 
The Foundation is proud to honor our county's outstanding faculty and staff through our Excellence in Education programs.  On February 9 we celebrated the crowning of this year's Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year, Megan Allen of Cleveland Elementary. 
 
The spectacular red carpet event would not have been possible without the support of our community businesses and leaders.  We would like to thank Caspers Company McDonald's Restaurants, Founding Sponsor, and Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, Presenting Sponsor of the Teacher of the Year Awards.
 
We also extend our deepest thanks to all of our Excellence in Education Program Donors and Awards Sponsors.  Without your continued support and dedication, we would not be able to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond for our students and schools.  See a full list of this year's sponsors. 
 
Congratulations to all 224 Teachers of the Year, the finalists, and this year's winner!
 
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For her first official duty as Teacher of the Year, Megan Allen joined WFLA's Gayle Sierens and Caspers Company's Bob Conigliaro to draw the winner of a 4-day, 3-night getaway at the 2009 Teacher of the Year Awards.
The Need For Career And Technical Training Has Never Been Greater 
   
Did you know that seven of the 14 fastest growing occupations in Florida require a vocational certificate?  Recent studies have shown that 65% of all jobs are skilled occupations.  With the current state of the economy, it is important now more than ever that we strive to ensure the stability of businesses in the Tampa Bay area.
 
Career and Technical Education programs, like those offered in the Hi-TEC Centers in Hillsborough County, are essential for students who want to start a career with the skills and training necessary to fill our community's job needs.
 
There are many ways you can support the success of these students and programs.  You can provide guidance, internship, and mentoring; or make a tax deductible donation to the
INVEST scholarship program.  For more information on these and other opportunities to support Career and Technical Education, contact Tami Milner at (813) 231-1948.
Foundation Is Honored At The Florida State Fair
 
Blue presentFoundation staff joined several members of the Hillsborough County School Board and representatives of the Florida State Fair Authority for a check presentation during the State Fair's Hillsborough County Public Schools Day on February 6, 2009.  At the Ford Amphitheater, Sandy MacKinnon, Florida State Fair Authority Chairman, and Chuck Pesano, Florida State Fair Executive Director, presented the Foundation with a gift for $5,000 for the Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools program.  This is the second consecutive year the Florida State Fair Authority selected the Teaching Tools program as a donation recipient.
 
The Foundation is grateful to the Florida State Fair Authority for its continued support of our students' and schools' academic success.
 
Photo above:  A.D. "Sandy" MacKinnon, CEO of Yale Lift Trucks and Chairman of the Board for the Florida State Fair Authority, presents Foundation President Bill Hoffman with a check to support the Foundation's Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools Program.  Photo courtesy of the Florida State Fair Authority.
Thank You To Our January Supporters 
 
ACE USA
Alto Construction Company, Inc.
Anston-Greenlees, Inc.
AT&T Real Yellow Pages
Baird Foundation, Inc.
Barbara Forgione Salon
Leslie J. Barnett
Batson-Cook Company
Bay Area Cardiology Associates, P.A.
Bayside Engineering Inc.
The Beck Group
Beef 'O' Brady's
The Biddinger Family Foundation
Bill Currie Ford, Inc.
Bright House Networks
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Bush Ross, PA
Caspers Company McDonald's Restaurants
City of Tampa Water Department
Council of APEI
Cracker Country
Digiscribe, Inc.
Donlen Corporation
Everest University
Julie L. Farber
Fifth Third Bank
Florida Business Interiors
Florida High Tech Corridor
The Florida Orchestra
Ford & Associates, Inc.
Mary Ann Fullerton
Luis & Mary Garcia
Garcia & Ortiz, P.A.
Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, Inc.
Stephanie C. Gibson
Gordon L. Gillette
Gould Evans Associates, PL
Commissioner Ken Hagan
Helios Education Foundation
The Hirsch Group
Norma Henkle
Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association
Hillsborough County Public Magnet Schools and Programs
Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Holmes Hepner & Associates Architects, Inc.
Houghton Mifflin Company
HSBC
I.F. Rooks & Associates, Inc.
JEB Management, Inc.
Gordon Johnston
Julie's Limousines and Coachworks, Inc.
Brunetta Kaye
Kisinger Campo & Associates Corp.
Lazydays Partners Foundation, Inc.
Linda Lewis
Lexus of Tampa Bay
Little Red Wagon Foundation, Inc.
Kelli Lofton
Long & Associates Architects/Engineers, Inc.
Lonnie Mahoney
The Lowry Park Zoo
Malcolm Pirnie, Inc.
Mercury New Media
Merit Professional Coatings, Inc.
Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson, P.A.
Leonard T. Nichols
Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School of Education and Human Services
Opus South Corporation
Oxford Walk Apartments
Prida-Guida & Company, P.A.
Quality Brick Pavers
St. Petersburg Times - Newspaper in Education
Sunrise Landscaping Contractors, Inc.
Tampa Bay & Company
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Convention Center
Tampa Knights Rod & Custom Club
The Tampa Tribune
Robert L. Tankel
TBE Group Inc.
TECO Energy, Inc.
Telmar Network Technology
UA Local 123 & MCA Central Florida
University of Tampa
Urban Teaching Academy
Jose E. Valiente
Vroman Graves Associates, Inc.
Wachovia Bank NA
Yolanda Wagner
WaMu-W. Cypress St.
WaMu-Palm River
Wheelabrator McKay Bay Inc.
William A. Gregory Jr. Foundation, Inc.
Paul C. Wolbert
"My formula for success?  Rise early, work late, strike oil."  - Jean Paul Getty
 
Sincerely,
 
bill sig 

Bill Hoffman
President
Hillsborough Education Foundation