"I am speechless and I usually talk nonstop," said Donna McGarry. That was her response when ABC 7 and Gettel Automotive surprised her classroom with $500.
School is back in session and so is the ABC 7 and Gettel Automotive surprise squad. Each month, we recognize a teacher who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of their students.
This year, we wanted to do more to help teachers on the Suncoast. On Friday, August 2, all six Gettel locations opened their doors to the community. ABC7 was there as donations poured in and many teachers, past and present, stopped by to give their thanks.
Every month during the school year, ABC7 honors an educator in Sarasota County and Manatee County as the “Chalkboard Champion" and now you can get involved!
ABC7 has teamed up with Gettel Automotive to celebrate teachers on the Suncoast - calling them “Chalkboard Champions." The community nominates a teacher and ABC7 selects two winners each month - one for Sarasota and Manatee County.
Chalkboard Champion & 5th Grade Teacher, Kara Carney (middle) poses with ABC 7's Ray Collins, Gettel Automotive's Roy Smalls, student Christian Vann, her mother Michelle Vann and Principal Pat Stream at Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School in Manatee County.
Winner of the ABC 7 Gettel Automotive "Chalkboard Champion" for May in Sarasota is Josh Stolze of "Beyond the Spectrum" Education Center in Lakewood Ranch. Josh is with ABC 7 Anchor Ray Collins and Gettel Automotive's Fred Bartholomew.
Tara Elementary School Principal Laura Campbell, ABC 7 Anchor Ray Collins, Teacher Loreena Durrance and a representative from Gettel Automotive pose for this month's ABC 7 & Gettel Automotive 'Chalkboard Champion' for March in Manatee County.
The Venice High School teacher making a difficult subject easy to understand, by connecting what he teaches in the classroom to real life so his students quickly catch on.
We head to Bradenton for December’s Manatee County Chalkboard Champion. ABC7′s Jacqueline Matter takes us to Manatee High School to meet orchestra director, Emily Eskildsen.
We head to Bradenton for November’s Manatee County Chalkboard Champion. ABC7′s Jacqueline Matter takes us to Electa Lee Middle School to meet Theater Director Starloe Galletta.
We head to North Port for November’s Sarasota County Chalkboard Champion. ABC 7′s Jacqueline Matter takes us to Atwater Elementary to meet first grade teacher Kayla Conley.
What lurks beneath the surface of Manatee Mineral Springs? Reflections of Manatee, a local museum and preservation group got the green light from the Bradenton City Council to move forward with their plans to find out.
“We’ve had an influx of people come in with respiratory illnesses like cough and cold, and we’ve had a number of different flu-viruses around that are typical to come in at this time of year like RSV - Respiratory Systemic Virus."
Police say it happened just before 7:30pm near 30th Street and North Washington Boulevard (US 301). The victim was found with non-life threatening injuries. At the scene, ABC7 was told the victim may have been shot in the leg.
Deputies in Charlotte County say after the story broke that 41-year-old Timothy Rice was wanted for loitering or prowling near children, a first degree misdemeanor, several parents came forward to report additional incidents involving Rice.
Maxwell Guss, 34, of Bradenton, was arrested Monday afternoon on two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct by a Person Over 18. Guss is currently the business teacher at Brookside Middle School and has been placed on administrative leave.
Thanksgiving only a week and half away and to get into the spirit of the holidays, North Port is hosting three programs that remind the community this is the season of giving.
Back in June, Sarasota County acquired the railroad corridor to use for connecting the trail and staff said the railroad company is in the process of removing the tracks along the corridor.
The Sarasota County School Board and Superintendent Todd Bowden have reached a mutual separation agreement that if approved by the board will result in Bowden’s tenure ending on December 31.
