TAMPA, Fla. — We’re celebrating our A+ Teachers Class of 2019. It was the first year of our new segment that highlights just some of the Bay Area’s best educators. The teachers were nominated by students, families, and friends.  We then visited them in their classrooms throughout the year.

Also for the first time, we held a luncheon to honor our A+ Teachers.  Seven of who were chosen as the nominees for our A+ Teacher of the Year.

Make sure you tune in this weekend for the airing of our A+ Teachers special where we present the award to the winner. It airs Sunday, February 9, at 4 p.m.

Here’s a little about each of the nominees:

TEACHER: Sheena Howell

  • SCHOOL: Oak Park Elementary
  • ABOUT: Ms. Howell makes learning fun with her use of song, dance, and getting out of the classroom. Some of her students weren’t reading at grade level, but thanks to her unique approach they are succeeding.
  • See more of her story here: 

TEACHER: James McBride

  • SCHOOL: Northside Christian School
  • ABOUT: Mr. McBride has a passion for teaching literature, but he’s also helping to empower young men outside of the classroom. He teaches them how to be a gentleman, starting with the right attire. But Mr. McBride’s lessons go beyond appearances and will have a lasting impact.
  • See more of his story here: 

TEACHER: Kaley Keen

  • SCHOOL: Lake Gibson Middle School
  • ABOUT: Ms. Keen’s classroom is a pig pen — literally! She takes an outdoor approach which is appropriate for her kind of class. She teachers students about caring for animals and farming and incorporates Math and English into those lessons. It may look messy, but students love it.
  • See more of her story here: 

TEACHER: Art Roberts

  • SCHOOL: Strawberry Crest High School
  • ABOUT: Mr. Roberts’ impact is evident in the way his students and the entire school rally around him. But despite dealing with hard times outside of the classroom, Mr. Roberts never lets his students down.  He helps them excel at a class that is tough and demands attention. And in return, he gets loving support.
  • See more of his story here: 

TEACHER: Sherry Scott

  • SCHOOL: George Jenkins High School
  • ABOUT: Ms. Scott teaches a tasty course that helps her students get real world experience. She’s a culinary instructor and her classes aren’t reading textbooks but actually making and serving up dishes! Ms. Scott has her plate full with other activities too, but always makes times for her students
  • See more of her story here: 

TEACHER: Vickie Tarantino

  • SCHOOL: Eisenhower Elementary School
  • ABOUT: Ms. Tarantino’s dedication to her students is what inspired one of her fifth graders to nominate her. According to her students, Ms. Tarantino is changing lives and told us she never gives up on a student. In fact, she’ll go out of her way to help them grow both personally and academically.
  • See more of her story here:  

TEACHER: Principal Mick Boddie

  • SCHOOL: North Tampa Epic 3
  • ABOUT: Not all of our A+ Teachers are just teachers. Mr. Boddie was nominated because of the way he leads as a principal. He helped make over his school in a way that encouraged students and helped them feel confident. His dedication to detail shows even the smallest gestures have big impacts.
  • See more of his story here: