Lacoochee Elementary School, located north of Dade City, has been in the news lately because the school district has intervened in an effort to improve student performance at the school which has earned a “D” grade from the state three years in a row. A new principal was named for this school year, and the entire faculty was required to reapply for their jobs. About half of the teachers were not rehired.
One of the teachers at LES, in her second year teaching, is Turquoise Sampson, who graduated from Gulf High School in 2006. Her teachers here at Gulf remember her as both an excellent student and an outstanding athlete. She is one of only a few basketball players in Gulf High School history to score 1,000 career points. (A picture is here.)
Ms. Sampson has a Master’s degree from USF. She lives in Land O’ Lakes and has a 35-minute commute to work.
We asked her how she likes teaching at LES, and she wrote, “I love teaching at Lacoochee Elementary School! Last year I taught on a team with 3 other first year teachers who have all become close friends and co-workers of mine. Every day there is something new that I learn, whether it be about my students or something with education itself.
“The greatest challenge is helping struggling students close gaps in their learning as quickly as possible. Along with all instructional staff, I had to reapply for my position. It was a hard and uneasy time for everyone. I went through the process as did everyone else who wished to reapply. I was offered a position back at Lacoochee Elementary and I gladly accepted it.
“Lacoochee is known as a school with a lot struggling students and I am glad that I was chosen among other teachers to help them! It’s an amazing feeling to watch your students grow and realize that they CAN learn challenging things, and when they become excited to learn challenging things! The students grow and grow every day and I get to help and be a part of that process and their memories! Trying to make a difference and showing them that they matter and make a difference is what I love!”
Below are two photos from Ms. Sampson’s classroom.
