Congratulations to our 2020 EIE Winners!
(L-R): Miranda Harwood, Teacher of the Year; Angela White, Instructional Support Employee of the Year; Keyada George, 
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year

The annual Excellence in Education Awards, sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union and hosted by Hillsborough Education Foundation and Hillsborough County Public Schools, recognized our outstanding teachers and support personnel.

Nearly 2,000 guests filled the Straz Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 23 to celebrate 705 nominees, including 13 finalists. Of the finalists, three winners were selected to represent the district in the following categories: Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, sponsored by Amscot Financial; Instructional Support Employee of the Year; and Teacher of the Year, presented by founding sponsor Caspers Company McDonald's Restaurants.

Thank you to all our amazing sponsors! 


Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Excellence in Education Awards!

Teacher of the Year
 Miranda Harwood
Brooker Elementary, Fourth Grade Teacher

Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year
Keyada George
Wilson Middle, Seventh Grade English Language Arts Teacher 

Instructional Support Employee of the Year
Angela White
Colson Elementary, Sign Language Interpreter

In case you missed it or would like to see it again, you can watch our 2020 Excellence in Education Awards here: youtube.com/watch?v=N62Zq2s8ne0.
Teacher of the Year 
Celebration
Brooker Elementary current and former students, staff and Miranda Harwood's family greeted the 2020 Teacher of the Year with a clap-in, flowers, balloons and a crown. The Bloomingdale High School Drumline led her to her classroom with quite the fanfare! 
Ms. Harwood's name and new title were displayed on the school's marquee following the Excellence in Education Awards ceremony.
  
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year Celebration


When Keyada George returned to Wilson Middle School following the Excellence in Education Awards, she was surprised with flowers in her classroom, a congratulatory display on the school's marquee and a banner created by art students. The 2020 Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year was also featured on the school's morning show. 

Instructional Support Employee of the Year Celebration

Angela White was welcomed back to Colson Elementary School with a surprise assembly in the courtyard attended by students, staff and family. During the assembly, both her deaf and hard of hearing students, as well as general education students thanked her for her work. The 2020 Instructional Support Employee of the Year also walked the red carpet and was presented with flowers, a crown, tierra and sash.

HEF Celebrates National Mentoring Month
Lennard High Mentor and Mentee Showcase Strong Bond
Mentee Katherine and Mentor Joanne Sudman

Every month, hundreds of volunteers from our community are taking time out of their busy schedules for a very important reason: to serve as a mentor and change the life of a student in Hillsborough County.

Hillsborough Education Foundation has one of the largest mentoring programs in Tampa Bay-serving more than 300 students in our Take Stock in Children mentoring program.
Students like Katherine, a freshman at Lennard High School.

"I was interested in getting involved in this mentoring program because I found it as a great way to really prepare for my future," said Katherine.

Katherine's mentor is Joanne Sudman. They meet several times each month during school hours at Lennard. The retired speech and language pathologist says she felt called to make a difference in a student's life.

"After I retired, I said I need to start giving back again," said mentor Joanne Sudman.  
"I think it's an incredibly fabulous idea. It's probably the best way we can touch the lives of students who are in need."

January is National Mentoring Month-a chance to thank our mentors for the incredible impact they make throughout the year. It's also an opportunity to show our community the need to connect more caring adults with students.

To read the full story and  learn more about becoming a mentor: bit.ly/2UerHJl.
HEF Mentors and Students Enjoy Trip to Busch Gardens
Take Stock in Children Scholars at Busch Gardens

In celebration of National Mentoring Month, Busch Gardens generously donated tickets to members of our Take Stock in Children mentoring program. Mentors, students and their families enjoyed an exciting and memorable day of bonding at the park.

Mentor Denise Barnes and
Mentee Isabella
Mentor Alanna Augusta and
Mentee Briana 
HEF Board, Staff Advocate for Students in Tallahassee
Strengthening Public Education 

(L-R) Paul Casebolt, Kim Jowell, Rep. Susan Valdes,
Kim Thresher and Anna Corman.

As the Florida Legislature kicked off the 2020 session, members of the Hillsborough Education Foundation team headed to Tallahassee to talk with our lawmakers about the importance of education funding and the impact on Hillsborough County Public Schools staff and students.

CEO Kim Jowell; Chief Programs Officer Paul Casebolt; Anna Corman, Director of our mentoring program and Board Member Kim Thresher met with Representatives Mike Beltran, Fentrice Driskell, Jackie Toledo and Susan Valdes.

Our mission is to strengthen public education in Hillsborough County through advocacy, investment of resources and programs that empower every student to achieve both academic and personal success. We appreciate lawmakers' support to help make that happen!

With Rep. Jackie Toledo                 With Rep. Mike Beltran
With Rep. Fentrice Driskell
 Play FORE Education Golf Tournament
Registration Now Open!

The Play FORE Education Golf Tournament, hosted by Hillsborough Education Foundation and Batson-Cook Construction, is not only an enjoyable afternoon of golf-it's an opportunity to change the lives of countless students in Hillsborough County.
The format is a team scramble featuring on-course contests and 
prizes  for teams  and individuals. 

All proceeds from this event support Hillsborough Education Foundation's programs and allow us to continue to provide scholarships, classroom grants, free school supplies at our Teaching Tools Resource Center and more to empower students and teachers and 
help strengthen public education.