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Youngsters Warm Up To Firetrucks And More During Teach-In

Students in Michelle Figueroa's first-grade class at Schmidt Elementary took their own photos during a presentation by TBO.com during the Great American Teach-In.

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 19, 2008

Updated: 11/19/2008 01:25 pm

TAMPA - Schwarzkopf Elementary kindergartners were impressed when firefighter Gary Guy donned his full uniform and helmet, but the ladders on the retired 1973 firetruck he brought with him drew the most "wows."

Guy was one of the guest speakers and surrogate teachers who flooded Hillsborough County schools today, taking part in a homegrown tradition to open new vistas for students.

The Great American Teach-In began in Hillsborough County about 20 years ago, school district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said.

The project, which celebrates American Education Week, invites people from all over the community to come in and tell students about their jobs and lives.

"It has increased every year," Cobbe said. "It's an opportunity started by the Hillsborough Education Foundation for students to hear people from the community talk about their professions and hobbies, to introduce them to possibly something they never thought of doing."

At Schwarzkopf Elementary in Lutz, Guy explained how one ladder on his firetruck extended for high places and one hooked onto roofs. The children gazed up in awe and lined up for a chance to sit in the truck's cab.

Guy, a Hillsborough County firefighter for eight years, started the Old Cracker Fire Co. in February to teach fire safety throughout the community. For the Teach-In, he talked with classes about firefighting as a career and showed children what he would look like if he had to enter a burning building.

Some of the 5- and 6-year-olds looked startled when Guy put on his oxygen mask, which hissed as he breathed. Guy reassured them that he might look scary, but they had nothing to be afraid of and should feel comfortable going with a firefighter if their house caught on fire.

"I'm a daddy," said Guy, whose son and daughter attend Schwarzkopf. "Even though I have all this stuff on, I'm still a daddy underneath."

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