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Educators See Signs Of Distress

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By MARILYN BROWN

mbrown@tampatrib.com

Published: March 21, 2009

When the Hillsborough County Council of National Board Certified Teachers met March 14 in Brandon, The Tampa Tribune asked some of the more than three-dozen educators attending how they see the economy affecting their students. Here are some of their responses.

"Fewer kids are buying a yearbook, a larger percentage of the kids are not going to prom, to grad night. ... Some of the kids are going to Burger King for their meal when the prom is over."

SABRINA GATES

Social studies teacher and coordinator of Advancement Via Individual Determination, Spoto High School, Riverview

"Within the last two weeks, one little girl came in asking if she could do her homework in class. She said, 'Our power was turned off yesterday.' Her mother came in and thanked me. ... A young man kept telling me they were moving. He came in when they moved and said, 'We moved into the projects.' He was very angry. A 7-, 8-year-old should not have to deal with those problems."

FAYE COOK

Second-grade teacher, Graham Elementary School, Tampa

"My debate team is not traveling around like we used to. I had a hundred dollar deposit due to go to the Florida State Novice tournament, and only one kid was able to come up with it. ... So we're not going. ... When we hosted a tournament in December, my kids took out the garbage, wiped the tables off, swept the cafeteria floors. ... The administration agreed to let us take care of our own housekeeping, which saved the club money. So we made $77 on that event."

SYLVIA ELLISON

English teacher, Brandon High School

"I see a lot of mobility in and out of schools for economic purposes. It's detrimental to a student's education. I have students who have been in a school for many years who are grieving for old friends. They are dealing with a lot of emotional issues."

SHIRLEY REDCAY

School counselor, Ippolito Elementary School, Riverview

"I've got kids moving in with grandparents. ... During testing week, I asked my students when they went to bed. One little boy said, '9:30.' I asked him why so late, and he said, 'Because Mom and Grandma were on the couch where I usually sleep.'"

JANET CARABALLO

Third-grade teacher, Graham Elementary School, Tampa

"Supplies we have always asked them to bring in - crayons, colored pencils, Kleenex, the basics - this is the first year we're not getting them. ... Our fifth grade had a couple of choices for the end of the year. ... We asked if they wanted to go to the race car track or to go bowling. They told us they wanted the cheaper one."

JAN SEDORY

Fifth-grade teacher, Limona Elementary School, Brandon

"We've had a lot of illness. ... They're not going to the doctor - insurance is gone, parents aren't able to come to school to get them. Parents have to be at work or they're going to lose their jobs. It makes it tough."

AMANDA NEWMAN

First-grade teacher, Valrico Elementary School

"I've had so many children come and go this year. ...They're living with aunts, with grandparents - two, three families in one house, one trailer. They have no paper, no pencils, no crayons. They're not always getting enough rest, but they're happy and loved. They are loved."

DONNA VIOLETTE

Third-grade teacher, Wimauma Elementary School

"I'm having kids coming in where the parents have lost a job. Then the parent will come in to help me in the morning. That's an advantage for me - to have more volunteers, but they've lost their job. We're in a more affluent area. Our parents are more educated - they handle it well. ... We have a bit more of a problem fundraising. Dinner nights at local restaurants to raise money we have not as many people."

LIZ PLETCHER

Second-grade teacher, Alafia Elementary, Valrico

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