From The Big Day to game day shoutouts, USF shows appreciation for area educators
Tuesday, Sept. 19, was business as usual for Nicolette Barone, a fourth and fifth-grade teacher at Oak Park Elementary School. That is until a special guest arrived in her classroom: Rocky D. Bull.
On his heels were USF College of Education Dean R. Anthony Rolle, Hillsborough County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Van Ayres and a host of other representatives from USF and Hillsborough County Public Schools.
The occasion? The Big Day for Teachers, part of Extra Yard for Teachers Week, an eight-day celebration spearheaded by the College Football Playoff Foundation and dedicated to honoring and recognizing great teachers. Celebrated Sept. 15鈥�23, it included The Big Day, a tailgate for area teachers and College of Education alumni at the USF vs. Rice University football game and on-field recognition for Tampa Bay area school superintendents.
USF College of Education Dean Rolle and Rocky D. Bull present Barone with a big check for classroom supplies and a personalized USF football jersey.
鈥淲e were given the opportunity to nominate a teacher from the Suncoast area districts to be celebrated today, The Big Day, which will be celebrated across the United States. Nicolette Barone, your favorite teacher, was the winner!鈥� Dean Rolle said to the delight of the students watching from their desks.
Barone, Hillsborough County鈥檚 2023 Teacher of the Year, was presented with USF gear, including a personalized football jersey, and a big check 鈥� both in size and amount 鈥� for $1,000 to spend at Donors Choose, a nonprofit resource for classroom supplies.
The money couldn鈥檛 have come at a better time. Barone had just welcomed more new students and wanted to update her room, including creating a 鈥渕ath lounge.鈥�
鈥淲hen you all came in, I was like, 鈥榃hat is happening?鈥� I know my students were very excited, and I鈥檓 very excited as well to be recognized by USF,鈥� said Barone, who joined the school district in 2016 and has been at Oak Park for five years. 鈥淎s a teacher, what we do I feel like goes unrecognized, so for you all to take the time to recognize not just me but the other teachers in Hillsborough County is just truly remarkable.鈥�
Hillsborough Schools District Superintendent Ayres with Barone, demonstrating the district motto, Hillsborough Strong.
Superintendent Ayres said Barone was 鈥渢he ultimate example鈥� of the district鈥檚 motto, Hillsborough Strong, and a shining example of what it expects of its teachers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just so, so proud of you. This couldn鈥檛 come to anyone better. Congratulations,鈥� he said.
Barone consistently goes the extra yard, said Principal Ryan Moody, spending her own money to create special opportunities for her students and even taking on a second job to do so.
鈥淚t鈥檚 teachers like Ms. Barone that keep administrators wanting to go above and beyond every day. She makes a learner out of myself and sets an example that we want to spread across campus,鈥� said Moody.
Reflecting on the event, Dean Rolle said, 鈥淰isiting the schools is my favorite part of this job. It鈥檚 what this is all about.鈥�
Outstanding turnout for this year鈥檚 tailgate that preceded the exciting Extra Yard for Teachers USF football game.
The festive atmosphere continued on Sept. 23, at the Extra Yard for Teachers tailgate sponsored by the USF College of Education. Tampa Bay area teachers and College of Education alumni stopped by to pick up USF gear and enjoy complimentary food and beverages, as well as discounted tickets to the game.
Members of the College of Education Alumni Society and Dean鈥檚 Advisory Council were on hand to greet attendees, including Eileen Hafer, chair of the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Council and a 1988 College of Education graduate.
Events like Extra Yard for Teachers are important because they recognize teachers for the work they do, she said. 鈥淭he alumni from the College of Education are important and valued by USF and the community. This event is a fun way to welcome them back so that we can thank them for all they do in the pursuit of edu