EDITOR'S NOTE: This occasional series spotlights local school principals. This week's column features Dennis Mayo, principal at Turkey Creek Middle School, 5005 Turkey Creek Road. The school's telephone number is (813) 757-9442.
PLANT CITY - For Dennis Mayo, attending grades seven through nine at Turkey Creek wasn't enough. In 2006, he returned as principal.
'This community is wonderful,' he said, 'and it's a great place to raise a family.'
Today, Mayo's alma mater houses 1,108 students and a staff of 140, 94 of whom are teachers.
Q: How long have you been on board?
A: I started January 2006.
Q: How do you handle cynicism regarding public education?
A: All you have to do is walk around our classrooms. Once you see what our kids are doing and the rigor of the teachers and the accomplishments they are able to make, it's enough to boost your spirits. That boosts me.
Q: Seeing is believing?
A: I like to invite the public, and parents who have a concern, and let them get involved in the school and see what the kids are doing. It's not easy, but we have very high expectations. We deal with a variety of issues and handle them quite well.
Q: What makes it work at Turkey Creek?
A: This community; it impacts the way kids act, and the respect they have for teachers and the educational process. The parents go the extra mile to make sure the kids are successful. I think that faith really does make a difference. The kids interact freely and openly, and you get a better feeling about the harmony in the community.
Q: What's Plant City's great challenge?
A: No question that it is in transition. Hopefully, we can keep the core values that have made this community a great place to live. As long as we can continue the strong faith and works of charity, helping each other, then we'll be OK. We can't forget our real mission in life and become self-serving.
Q: What do you think about your staff?
A: They're top-notch, absolutely. We've gone through some changes and that's difficult, but they've handled it like champs. There's been no open turmoil or disgruntled teachers. Doing what it takes to get the job done; our staff makes it work.
Q: What's the secret?
A: It's not, 'Why can't we do something?' But 'How can we make this work?' We look for answers.
Q: Outline your career.
A: I was first hired as agriculture teacher at Horace Mann Middle School. Then I moved to Brandon High School. It was there I became assistant principal for student affairs. Then I shifted to assistant principal for administration until I moved to Turkey Creek.
Q: Have you always loved agriculture?
A: I really didn't have a focus until I started working on a dairy farm in the ninth grade. I got involved in FFA. My teacher John Davidson encouraged me to take an ag scholarship through the Lykes Bros. Foundation. I grew up moderately poor, and college wasn't necessarily expected. The scholarship grew throughout my college career and it really helped.
Q: Where were you raised?
A: New York, then Florida. We lived in Warrensburg - in the Adirondacks - then moved here in fifth grade. Dad was in construction. We lived on Forbes Road; I attended Dover Elementary, Lincoln, Turkey Creek Junior High and then Plant City High. I graduated in 1987 when Sonny Jones was principal.
Q: How about university?
A: Hillsborough Community College, then the University of Florida (1991). I got my master's (education leadership) from Nova Southeastern University (1994).
Q: Why Plant City?
A: It's what I've known. It's a beautiful place to live. I interviewed for Horace Mann, and I enjoyed it immensely. You never forget your first year, stuff you'll never do again. Believe it or not I live on Forbes Road again - 2 miles from my parents.
Q: Are you married?
A: I met my wife Carol Downing, a native of Guatemala at the university. We were married in 1992. She's the chairperson for this year's Plant City Relay for Life. We have two children - Danielle and Patrick - and a golden retriever, Sonny.
Q: Why administration?
A: If I was going to advance ... leadership was the route to go. I signed up for administration screening just to shut some people up! When I walked into the room my principal was sitting there and anonymity went out the window. She began to give me opportunities and responsibilities in leadership.
Q: Do you miss the classroom?
A: Of course. I was having a great time as an agriculture teacher, but then I started to see the big picture and I enjoyed that. I had some key mentors; they made all the difference.
Q: Who's really responsible for education?
A: I do believe in my heart it boils down to the parents' responsibility to educate from birth, to continue throughout. The classroom teacher takes over the formal part, but I believe the parent has a huge role.
Q: How can parents help you?
A: Read the newsletter! I try to be clear because I realize they are busy. Make time for your child. Come to conference night. Talk with their teachers, help resolve matters, make the effort to develop a relationship with the teacher.
Q: What about the historical school building on the Turkey Creek campus?
A: It's been deeded to Hillsborough County to use as a community public library. It's a historical building and the funding is secured. But to my knowledge it's been put on hold.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: I've started doing paintball with my son. I enjoy growing palm trees at home. I have a couple of acres I tinker with.
Q: Do you watch TV?
A: The History Channel. I like World War II classics.
Q: What are you reading?
A: I just read 'The Freedom Writers Diary.' That was good. And 'A Land Remembered.' Then Rudy Giuliani's book on leadership.
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