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Hillsborough Has Plenty Of Takers On Teacher Interview Day

Tribune photo by CLIFF McBRIDE

Teachers who did not have appointments Thursday wait for possible appointment cancellations at Jefferson High School.

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By JESSICA DaSILVA

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2008

Updated: 06/13/2008 12:17 am

TAMPA - All her life, Annmarie Zecca has dreamed of being an elementary school teacher.

"I've been playing 'school' and 'teacher' since I was a little girl. It was never a question," said Zecca, a 23-year-old graduate of the University of South Florida.

Zecca was one of about 1,000 teacher hopefuls who participated in the Hillsborough County School District's annual Teacher Interview Day. The prospective teachers congregated at Jefferson High School on Wednesday and Thursday to interview with school principals for about 1,000 openings.

Quincenia S. Bell, supervisor for the Office of Teacher Recruitment, said she saw a significant increase in applications for the event this year - some from as far as Canada and even England, but mostly from counties in Florida where budget cuts have resulted in layoffs.

Applicants had to have at least a bachelor's degree, be a certified teacher, register as an active teacher on the school district's Web site and have a score from the Haberman STAR Assessment, which scores prospective teachers on their potential for success in the classroom.

Bell said the district is being selective.

"A lot of people have turned to teaching because their job or career didn't turn out like they hoped," she said. "But we try to find the teachers, not the people who just want another job. Teaching is a calling."

More than 2,000 people applied to attend the interview day this year, and about half of them were invited by the district.

The event provided everything applicants could need. Vendors were lined up inside the crowded gym advertising apartment hunting and moving services. For those hired on the spot, fingerprinting was being conducted as part of a criminal background check, meaning applicants could leave with a definite job.

That was Zecca's plan. She planned to stay until she found a job.

"I want to make a positive difference in the community and in children," Zecca said. "Children are where it all starts."

The district employs about 15,000 teachers.

This year, three new schools will open before the first day of school, Aug. 18: Smith Middle School, Reddick Elementary School and Kimbell Elementary. All are hiring. Jernigan said teachers with no experience are paid an average salary of $37,000.

"I love the low pay and summers off," said Henry Livesay with a laugh.

Livesay said what he really loves about teaching is watching children learn.

"You get to see that 'Aha!' moment," he said.

Before he decided to be a teacher, Livesay managed a distribution company, but he said he always had a passion for teaching. Growing up, he was inspired by his friend's parents who were both teachers, so his passion grew from their influence, he said. Although he taught training sessions at the distribution company, he eventually decided to get certified to teach.

He remembers being in a classroom during his teaching for certification and watching the elementary school students pairing up to write a fictional story to exercise their imagination. One pair wrote about flying to the moon.

"The best part was their enthusiasm," Livesay said. "They were pretty proud of that story."

He said he wants to teach third- to fifth-graders.

"That's when they have an opinion," Livesay said, smiling. "The younger kids just don't have the world experience of a third- to fifth-grader."

Reporter Jessica DaSilva can be reached at (813) 259-7851 or jdasilva@tampatrib.com.

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