"When they know that we love them, we can really connect with them, and we can teach them. I believe in that very strongly." That is the philosophy of fifth grade teacher Khizran Usman.
“I am beyond words. I can’t even, thank you so much. I can’t do what I do without the people who help me for sure, there’s so many people I need to get through my days with and these kids are a big part of that,” said Lora Sevarino after a virtual surprise with ABC 7 and May Custom Home.
"I did not expect this at all, this is awesome. I'm about to cry, like this is so cool." That was the initial reaction from Jennifer Shelly when ABC 7 and May Custom Home surprised her with $500.
"Thank you! I absolutely love doing this. It's because of them why I'm here. I can't picture myself doing anything else," said Rebecca Rouse who is the newest Chalkboard Champion for Manatee County.
"It took me over 30 years to find my true profession and I couldn't be happier," that was the reaction from Oak Park School Teacher Steven Leavitt when he was surprised with $500.
Suzi Shea is the newest Chalkboard Champion and recipient of $500 from May Custom Home. Shea retired from teaching after three decades and started volunteering at the school before becoming a full-time teacher again.
"She's such a great teacher and the kids really love her," said Raymond Wilson just before ABC 7 surprised the newest Sarasota County Chalkboard Champion.
"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.
Finally some slightly lower humidity moving in after some sweltering days here to start the work week. We can say goodbye to the heat indices of 92-96 and hello to temperatures in the mid to upper 80s and it feeling like the same.
With India now having a more than 23 million Covid cases and suffering thousands of deaths, a group of nurses and doctors from the Suncoast are wanting to help.
"When they know that we love them, we can really connect with them, and we can teach them. I believe in that very strongly." That is the philosophy of fifth grade teacher Khizran Usman.
“I am beyond words. I can’t even, thank you so much. I can’t do what I do without the people who help me for sure, there’s so many people I need to get through my days with and these kids are a big part of that,” said Lora Sevarino after a virtual surprise with ABC 7 and May Custom Home.
