Land O’...See MoreAnother committed suicide a few years ago after school, he hung himself...he has sent a few texts to a girl in his class and the HR dept opened an investigation. A woman tchr in Pasco...tried to commit suicide in the staff bathroom...she got fired...I spoke to the tchr association rep ...and now this...WHAT IS IT ABOUT PASCO????
Land O’ Lakes High School teacher and coach died in an apparent suicide leap from the Sunshine Skyway bridge early Monday, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
William J. Schmitz, who taught history and coached the boys track team at the Pasco County school, was 59.
Schmitz drove his 2010 Kia to the Skyway’s main span at 4:56 a.m., exited his vehicle and jumped over the side of the railing, according to a sheriff’s office report. The body was recovered about four hours later, the sheriff’s office said.
Schmitz, a former college football coach, also was Land O’ Lakes’ offensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012.
The football team canceled practice Monday.
One of the Pasco school district’s crisis teams, which provide counseling to students and staff, was at the Land O’ Lakes High School on Monday, district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said.
At the beginning of sixth-period, school administrators and the crisis team brought the football and track teams together and told them Schmitz had died, but didn’t discuss how he died because the district hadn’t received confirmation from the Hillsborough sheriff’s office, Cobbe said.
“Quite a few of the kids were upset about it,” she said.
The football coach called the football team together again for a meeting in seventh-period, she said, and a school-wide announcement was made saying that Schmitz had died.
By the end of the day, students were beginning to hear more details about Schmitz’s death.
“If kids asked about it, they would talk about it,” Cobbe said.
Land O’ Lakes principal Ric Mellin said once he was informed what happened, he assembled a group of administrators, school councilors, and the district’s crisis team to begin notifying the staff and then students.
“In this day and age, information gets out quickly, so we wanted to ensure that we were the one’s providing the information instead of hearing through a newspaper or second hand,” Mellin said. “... When an unexpected death like this occurs, people are shocked and they grieve. Many of our school family were visibly upset over the news.”
The crisis team is scheduled to return to the school Tuesday, and Mellin was recording a telephone message that would go out to parents, Cobbe said.
Schmitz also served as Jesuit High’s head football coach in 2004, leading the team to the 2004 Class 3A region final.
Schmitz compiled a 39-65 record as head coach the Coast Guard Academy (1993-96) and Austin Peay (1997-2002). He was also an assistant coach at several colleges, including Cincinnati and Alabama-Birmingham.
He was named the Pasco Tribune’s boys track Coach of this Year this spring.
“When he came to us, the thing that attracted him to us was his resume, which had a lot of quality to it,” Mellin said. “He was also humbled to have the opportunity to start over again, He embraced the notion of not only teaching on the field, but teaching in the classroom. He was very open to being the best teacher he could be and I admired him for taking that stance because he always wanted what was best for his students — on the field of play, but more importantly in the classroom as well.”
Players and students reacted to Schmitz’s death on Twitter:
“RIP Schmitz. Hands down one of the best guys I’ve ever met. These tears suck man #InShock,” tweeted senior Shaheed Salmon.
“I know Coach Schmitz is in heaven drinking a Coke and talking to God about how to run the football down someone throat,” football player Jamal Wells tweeted.
“#RIP Coach Bill Schmitz if there was any person that brought the best out of anyone it was him,” added football player Liam Heaney.
I left Pasco for this year...they are very authoritarian and decidedly anti-male teachers teaching in Elementary. The Board of Education is powerless to do other than pass out ribbons and such like. The Super is elected, not subject to the board who are supposed to represent the people but not in Pasco
"First we...See Moreinellas County school officials are investigating parents' claims that a new St. Petersburg charter school is kicking out students with behavior issues.
Members of the School Board and community also have raised concerns about teachers quitting in the opening weeks of University Preparatory Academy's first school year.
"First we have to investigate to see what in the world is going on," said Dot Clark, the partnership schools coordinator for Pinellas County schools. Related News/Archive
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Clark said that in the past few days, she has received phone calls from parents "about students who might have been told they need to find another place."
A public charter school can't pick and choose which students it wants to keep, Clark said. "Cherry picking" students would allow a school to boost its test scores, attendance rates and other performance measures. "We're asking: Are you doing that? And if so, what's the justification? And it needs to stop."
University Prep founder Cheri Shannon acknowledged Thursday that the school has had some issues in its opening weeks and said some students have left voluntarily. But she challenged reports that the school was cherry picking.
University Prep opened last month at the former site of Southside Fundamental Middle. The new charter showed promise, enrolling 515 children, with 100 more on its waiting list.
It also took on a big challenge, drawing kids from Melrose, Maximo and Campbell Park — all regular elementary schools with D and F grades and large numbers of poor, minority students.
But at a meeting this week of the Concerned Citizens for Quality Education for Black Students, some accused University Prep of rejecting the community rather than embracing it.
"I am very concerned about University Prep. They have a discipline problem over there," said Frances Cato, a coordinator with the Pinellas Opportunity Council. "They had a teacher quit after the first week. They had a teacher quit after the second week."
After the meeting, School Board member Terry Krassner said she had heard students were returning to Melrose.
"If a charter school's not going to embrace the kids and work what they have, then what's the point?" Krassner said. "I mean, if you're just kicking them out? It's still a public school."
Watson Haynes, president of the Pinellas County Urban League, said University Prep cut off communication after the School Board approved its charter. Both the Urban League and Concerned Citizens helped gather support for the school.
Shannon said there was no falling out. She had been busy getting the school running.
Shannon denied sending students back to their home schools. However, she acknowledged that some parents have elected to withdraw their children.
In some cases, even though Shannon had gone through with the withdrawal paperwork and filled the child's seat, the parent kept sending the child. Shannon said she had to explain to the parent that the child was no longer enrolled.
Another possible explanation for the complaints, Shannon said, was that the mother of a suspended first-grader had threatened this week to go to the School Board.
It was also possible that University Prep teachers were using language with children that could be misunderstood, Shannon said. "It could be when we say, 'Where did you go last year? If this isn't working out, you're going to have to find something else because you're doing this behavior and you've been kicked out of three schools already. What's next for you?' "
Shannon said she would talk with staff Thursday evening.
One teacher did quit after a student knocked her over, Shannon said. The school's director of curriculum also resigned. "She said she just wasn't prepared for our population."
Interviewing has always made me nervous so I want to be sure that I am prepared. Has anyone interviewed with schools in Orange County or Seminole County? Are demo lessons required of applicants?
> these are great issues but rarely covered in an inteview, mostly its a chemistry test and to find out who you know that the interviewer knows. Its a crap shoot. > > On 9/09/13, kaye wrote: > >> On 9/07/13, mrsdanis wrote: > >>> I am changing careers from accounting to teaching and will > >>> be submitting my application for temporary certification to > >>> FL DOE soon. I hope to receive a status of eligibility for > >>> history and business ed. > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Interviewing has always made me nervous so I want to be > >>> sure that I am prepared. Has anyone interviewed with > >>> schools in Orange County or Seminole County? Are demo > >>> lessons required of applicants? > >>> >
On 9/12/13, mockingbird wrote: > We only teach 6 of 8 in Hillsborough. One period for lunch and one > period for planning...but we start at 7:15 and end at 3:15, which > is later than most high schools in other counties. That said, it > sure is nice to have a full 50 minutes for lunch. > > On 9/11/13, Debbie wrote: >> In Lee I teach 7 out of 8 >> >> On 9/11/13, lesley wrote: >>> I am just curious- Brevard County just started teaching 6 >>> out of 7. How many other counties do as well.
On 9/12/13, Debbie wrote: > 50 minutes for lunch? WOW! And a planning period? Double WOW! > > On 9/12/13, mockingbird wrote: >> We only teach 6 of 8 in Hillsborough. One period for lunch and one >> period for planning...but we start at 7:15 and end at 3:15, which >> is later than most high schools in other counties. That said, it >> sure is nice to have a full 50 minutes for lunch. >> >> On 9/11/13, Debbie wrote: >>> In Lee I teach 7 out of 8 >>> >>> On 9/11/13, lesley wrote: >>>> I am just curious- Brevard County just started teaching 6 >>>> out of 7. How many other counties do as well.
Was wondering if anyone else in Lake County was having trouble securing sub jobs. I am new to FL, but am retired teacher and subbed in another state.
Anyone else know how to get around those annoying "dings" which lead to "I'm sorry. There are no available assignments at the moment ..." Just this morning I opened my phone when it dinged, went right to Jobulator/Aesop calendar, and - Gee, Whiz! - no job there. I will probably not pay for Jobulator, since I've had to pay for my fingerprinting, drug test, and computer course justg to get to be a sub for Lake County!
Has anyone found the trick to these programs? Aesop is ALWAYS open on my computer; however, I can't be with it 24/7. That's why I really look forward to carrying my phone EVERYWHERE and waiting breathlessly for it to "ding."
>...See Morevisit your local schools and let the office staff/school secretary know that you are available. if you go to church or are in any community activities, fitness programs, etc., talk to teachers.
On 9/23/13, CMeTeach wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Was wondering if anyone else in Lake County was having
> trouble securing sub jobs. I am new to FL, but am retired
> teacher and subbed in another state.
>
> Anyone else know how to get around those annoying "dings"
> which lead to "I'm sorry. There are no available
> assignments at the moment ..." Just this morning I opened
> my phone when it dinged, went right to Jobulator/Aesop
> calendar, and - Gee, Whiz! - no job there. I will probably
> not pay for Jobulator, since I've had to pay for my
> fingerprinting, drug test, and computer course justg to get
> to be a sub for Lake County!
>
> Has anyone found the trick to these programs? Aesop is
> ALWAYS open on my computer; however, I can't be with it
> 24/7. That's why I really look forward to carrying my phone
> EVERYWHERE and waiting breathlessly for it to "ding."
Do you want an opportunity to take part in research that could positively impact your students and your classroom? By participating in our short survey, you will be helping us collect data for a study investigating obstacles and feasibility of psychological recommendations. Because these scenarios may be similar to what you have seen in your classroom, your input is very valuable! Once you complete the survey, you will be eligible for a $25 gift certificate to reallygoodstuff.com. Please feel free to pass this along to your teacher friends and co-workers as we need as many responses as we can get! All responses are completely confidential and participation is optional. Thank you!
Jessica E. Emick, Ph.D., Faculty Supervisor
Dannie S. Harris, M.A., M.A.Ed., Ed.S., Doctoral Student
On 8/31/13, Ellis wrote: > I can't find the newest versions Florida is supposed to be > implementing.. I teach third grade. > > Help! > > Thanks!