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Teacher Of Year Finalists Named

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By MICHELE SAGER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 22, 2007

NEW TAMPA - Two of the top teachers in Hillsborough County are from New Tampa schools.

The Hillsborough Education Foundation has named its finalists for Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year. Twelve finalists were chosen from among the Teacher of the Year winners at each of 220 schools.

A prize patrol made surprise visits to the teachers last week.

Second-grade teacher Mary Booth was attending a holiday concert with her students in the cafeteria at Chiles Elementary when the prize patrol showed up to give her the news.

"I'm honored to be named among these other top teachers," she said. "I enjoy being with the kids and going in every day to something new."

Booth, 37, has taught the past 15 years. Most of that time, she's shared a school with her mother, Rita Gonzales, a teacher for the past 40 years.

"My mother is a great role model because she loves what she does," Booth said, wiping away tears.

Gonzales said she was "surprised but not surprised" to see her daughter named a finalist.

"She cares about the children and making them successes," Gonzales said. "I'm glad I've been able to watch her grow into the woman that she is."

This year, Booth started a professional learning community, a program that teaches students and teachers to integrate technology into the classroom. To encourage students, Booth started a recognition program called Geek of the Week, which honors students who use technology.

Booth also is a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certified mentor, a trainer for Professional Study Days and a presenter for the 2007 Accomplished Teachers Academy.

This is the fourth finalist from Chiles in the school's seven-year history.

Another New Tampa teacher was named a finalist. Debby Dowell, a teacher at Bartels Middle School, got an early birthday gift when she learned the news.

Just days before her 50th birthday, her school colleagues and students threw her a surprise birthday party. But the real surprise came when the prize patrol crashed the party to deliver the news.

Dowell, who has taught for the past 15 years, cried and ran to her students for a group hug.

"I love you all," Dowell told her students. "The reason I do this is because of you."

Bartels Principal Maribeth Franklin said Dowell shares her enthusiasm with her students, which creates excitement in them.

Dowell and Booth will join 10 other finalists at a ceremony Feb. 28 at which the Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year will be named.

The other finalists are: Sylvia Albritton, Youth Services; Stephanie Bikowsi, Burney Elementary; Courtney Clark, Gorrie Elementary; Isidoros Passalaris, Williams Middle Magnet; Marcy Ringdahl, Summerfield Elementary; Terry Senhauser, Nelson Elementary; and Kristy Verdi, Randall Middle.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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