TAMPA, Fla. — Town and Country Elementary School students start off their mornings the same way every day.

They get a fist bump and a hearty good morning from principal Otis Kitchen.

What You Need To Know

  • Otis Kitchen has been the principal at Town and Country Elementary School for three years

  • He starred on Tampa Catholic's 1995 state championship team

  • After high school, Kitchen took his talents to Florida Atlantic University

This former Tampa Catholic basketball star’s 6-foot-5-inch frame towers over the students, but he’s not imposing or intimidating. He’s welcoming, like the messages posted all over the school grounds. 

It’s been three years since Kitchen was hired as the Town and Country principal. And his energy level has remained the same since day one. Even the school crossing guards get in on the fist-bump, good morning action.

Kitchen stars on the school’s morning show, utilizing that time to get students excited about learning and to relay important messages. This week, he had a special update.

“My school, Florida Atlantic University, yes, we are in the NCAA Final Four,” he said. “That is truly amazing. Double pom-pom action, double pom-pom action. Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Before he starred in the classroom, Kitchen starred on the basketball court. He was a starter on the Tampa Catholic 1995 state championship team. He graduated as one of the Crusaders’ all-time leading scorers and took his talents to Florida Atlantic. It was during his time at FAU that he got an epiphany. And he began writing an essay about why he felt destined to be an elementary school educator.

“I know that I will take the dedication and commitment necessary to make sure that all students excel,” he read from his essay. “I also know it is my destiny.”

The son of a principal, Kitchen learned the importance of education at an early age. So regardless of how talented he was on the basketball court, he planned for a future after it. But this year’s March Madness tournament has given a chance to revisit some of his hoops glory days. 

This proud Owl was in Madison Square Garden to witness history when his alma mater punched their ticket to the Final Four. He was also in Houston for their buzzer beater loss in the semifinals. And he has enjoyed sharing the ride with his Town and Country community.

“I come to work with a smile on my face each and every day to know that I can be a positive impact on students’ lives and on people’s lives,” he said.

That smile’s grown bigger since FAU made it to the Final Four. Not many people gave his Owls a shot at history. But just like he teaches his students, Otis just had to believe.

“Anything, anything is possible and achievable,” Otis said. “But guess what? I let my students know that every single day. And that is a perfect example of if you work together, if you believe in yourself, if you set a goal, if you problem solve as a team and you’re unselfish, you can accomplish anything.”