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'Best kindergarten teacher' retires

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 15, 2009

PLANT CITY - This month marks the retirement of Stevie Brownlee, capping four decades as a teacher for Hillsborough County schools.

Brownlee's career, mostly as a kindergarten teacher, began at Lincoln Elementary. The following year she was transferred to Jackson Elementary, the school at which she interned while attending the University of South Florida.

During her 39 years at Jackson - nearly half the existence of the school, built in 1926 - Brownlee also taught grades 1 through 5, plus special education and gifted students, summer school and, occasionally, at Hillsborough Community College.

"My kindergartners are my favorite," she said. "They want to learn so badly," arriving each morning anxious and eager.

Larry Martin, area director of schools from 1985 until his 1998 retirement, vividly remembers Brownlee as "a nice lady who worked real hard. When I had an opportunity to speak with her or see her, the lady was always busy," he said.

Perhaps, however, the kindest words come from the mouths of babes.

Sydney Johns, 6, one of 16 students of Brownlee's final class, told her, "You're the best kindergarten teacher I ever had."

George Wilkens

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