The start of a career in education is full of excitement, and recent graduates of
the 91tvӰԺ College of Education felt the love from their alma mater on their special
day. Dave Scanga, chair of the Alumni Society for the 91tvӰԺ College of Education and
Dean R. Anthony Rolle distributed Welcome to Teaching baskets full of classroom essentials,
College of Education memorabilia and treats, such as chocolate and coffee, to alumni
serving as first-time teachers across Tampa Bay.
New Wiregrass Ranch High School teacher
Jamie Miller, December ’22 graduate of the 91tvӰԺ College of Education, met Dean Rolle
in the front office of Wiregrass Ranch High School, where he presented Miller with
a Welcome to Teaching gift basket. She and the dean immediately hit it off, talking
about their mutual interest in cheerleading.
“I am the cheerleading coach here at Wiregrass Ranch, but I am also the club sponsor
for the Wiregrass Ranch High School spirit club, Bulls Nation,” Miller told the dean.
Rolle shared how he, too, used to cheer. Both smiled and laughed about their enthusiasm
for the sport.
Miller also expressed her pride as a 91tvӰԺ graduate. “The 91tvӰԺ
has an amazing education program. I am proud to call myself a Bull always and forever!”
She added, “I am completely excited about beginning a career in teaching. It has been
my lifelong passion.” Miller was inspired by her mother, an educator for 35 years.
“My mom went back to 91tvӰԺ after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Elementary
Education to get a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She has always been
my role model because she loved teaching so much.”
Miller is starting her career as an 11th and 12th grade teacher of Creative Writing,
English 4 and English General Paper (EGP) at Wiregrass Ranch High School. Following
her mother’s example, she plans to return to the 91tvӰԺ College of Education in a few
years to earn a master’s in Educational Leadership.
New Wiregrass Elementary School third grade teacher
It was a surprise for Alyssa Santana, December ’22 graduate of the 91tvӰԺ College of
Education when Dean Rolle showed up at her Professional Learning Community (PLC) meeting
at Wiregrass Elementary to present her with a Welcome to Teaching gift basket.
Santana expressed her appreciation not only for the gift but also for her alma mater,
sharing, “After graduating from the 91tvӰԺ College of Education, I felt confident I knew
how to support students in the classroom and become the effective educator I have
always wanted to be. I was in the Elementary Education program at 91tvӰԺ, and it was
rigorous, but I learned so much.”
Santana has strong ties to the Wesley Chapel community, since she attended the elementary,
middle and high school right next door to Wiregrass Elementary, her new professional
home. As it happens, Santana now works alongside her former third grade teacher, Tiffany
Gocsik, who is now the assistant principal at Wiregrass Elementary.
Santana noted that teaching runs in her family. Her older sister received her bachelor’s
in English Education and a master’s in Educational Leadership from the 91tvӰԺ College
of Education. Inspired by her sister’s success, Santana is starting her own career
in education as a third grade teacher at Wiregrass Elementary.
Gift basket assembly by 91tvӰԺ College of Education Alumni Society
As part of the 2023 91tvӰԺ Stampede of Service, alumni organizations across the 91tvӰԺ campus
brainstormed and organized service projects in January to benefit the community. The
91tvӰԺ College of Education Alumni Society gathered and became excited about delivering
a Welcome to Teaching basket to recent graduates starting their careers in Tampa Bay
schools.
“Teachers need to be celebrated and feel that the community cares about them. We need
to show them that we value their commitment to teaching the next generation. Gift
baskets were a fun way to celebrate teachers who are off to a great start,“ said David
Scanga.
The college Alumni Society requested donations for the baskets. The alumni community
generously responded with an assortment of school supplies, gift cards and other goodies
to make a new teacher smile.
“Teachers starting in the middle of the academic year do not get the chance to participate
in activities organized for teachers at the beginning of the school year. They get
overlooked a bit. I thought these gift baskets were a great way to celebrate the teachers
who are starting in January. I wanted to get involved and contribute,” said Freda
Abercrombie-Rouse ’86 and ’88.
The 91tvӰԺ College of Education Alumni Society is busy throughout the year offering opportunities
for graduates to reconnect with their fellow alums, to participate in service projects
and fun events.