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Hernando Today

Eager To Teach

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By LINNEA BROWN

Hernando Today

Published: August 5, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Local parents can rest assured that their children are getting teachers with plenty of real-life experience.
That's because many of the "new" teachers in Hernando County public schools aren't really so new at all — they are coming to the district after long, successful careers in other fields.
Some chose teaching to make more time for their families, while others were forced out of previous jobs due to downsizing. Others are local residents who have spent years teaching in other districts, yet can no longer afford gas.
Whatever they're reason, they're here and eager to teach.
Monday marked the first day of the district's annual mandatory new teacher orientation, held at Hernando High School in Brooksville and sponsored by the Hernando Classroom Teachers' Association.
The orientation consisted of three days of training through the Florida Educators Association, with courses from local Educational Research and Dissemination trainers on classroom management, ethics.
"The goal is to get them ready for the first three weeks of school, because that sets the tone for the classroom for the year," said trainer Jo Ann Hartge. "They have the knowledge, but we (show them) how to teach the rules and expectations."
Homosassa resident Lynn Dostal, 66, who will be teaching Exceptional Student Education language arts at Parrott Middle School in Brooksville, comes to the district after a long career as a human resources and labor relations manager.
"I've been dealing with people problems my whole life," he intoned.
Last year, he taught at Crystal River Middle School in Citrus County, but was not reappointed due to budget cuts. However, he loves teaching, he said.
"Teaching is a tough job, but it's so rewarding when you can make that connection," Dostal said.
Spring Hill resident Louis Campisi, 34, a new science teacher at Central High School in Brooksville, comes to teaching after a career in law enforcement, including five years with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and three years with the Brooksville Police Department.
Campisi said he wanted a job that would allow him to spend more time with his children, and that his previous undercover narcotics work was not an ideal environment for his family.
"The salary isn't that different, and now I don't have to ask for vacation time to spend time with my family," he said. "It just seemed like a natural fit."
However, he still intends to work as a reserve officer for the Bushnell Police Department in Sumter County.
"Now I can still go play cop when I want to," he said.
Citrus County resident David Wilson, 48, will serve as the new math and German teacher at Hernando High School. He retired after 26 years in the U.S. Army, and became fluent while living overseas in Germany for nine years.
While he previously taught at Hernando Christian Academy and had initially sought work in international sales, he took a job last year teaching German at a high school in Kissimmee.
"That forced me to become certified, and it was a good thing," he said. "I love teaching, and I wanted to come (here) because it was closer to home."
Wilson, who has 13 children who have all been homeschooled, said three of his children will also attend Hernando High with him next year.
Spring Hill resident Frank Nobrega, 55, a new physics teacher at Springstead High School in Spring Hill, previously worked as a software engineer for Hewlett-Packard but was cut due to corporate downsizing.
With 70 in attendance at Monday's session, the new hires were divided into three groups: 28 with zero to one years of teaching experience, 29 with two to 10 years of experience and 13 with 12 or more years. Seven others will have to make the class later in the year.
But even the district is feeling the effects of downsizing and state budget cuts, with this year marking the smallest group officials have seen in the last five years. Last year's new teacher orientation boasted 170 new hires.
This year, the district has 1,770 teachers, or 67 less than last year.
"The downside is that anytime there is a downturn in hiring, (applicants) who are brand-new will have limited access to employment," HCTA union president Joe Vitalo said. "The state is just not doing its job, and it's hurting the kids in the long run."
The new teachers will report to their individual school sites later this week.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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