Hillsborough educator says mock election, enrichment programs boost student engagement

During public comment at a meeting, a social studies educator and parent said Hillsborough County’s mock election and other enrichment programs increase student engagement and civic skills.

“I'm a social studies educator, so I consider it a craft. Not only do I teach content knowledge, but I teach critical thinking skills. I teach higher order thinking skills. I teach students to make informed decisions. So daily, I feel it's definitely, it's not just a role or a job,” the commenter said.

The commenter described a recent in-school mock election and said the exercise energized students and helped them learn how to participate in civic life. “We did a huge, mock election here at school and the kids were so excited and so engaged, just to go vote and, I really feel that it really did change a lot of them and hopefully making them know, like, this is what makes you a good citizen,” the commenter said.

The speaker, who identified themself as both an educator and a parent of a fifth grader, listed extracurricular contests and fairs they said set Hillsborough County apart, including math bowl, STEM fair, Black History Bowl competitions and the National History Day Fair. “If the opportunities of extra learning and engagement and enrichment, it really sets Hillsborough County apart,” the commenter said.

The remarks were delivered as public comment; no formal action, motion or vote followed that mention of the programs. The speaker emphasized teacher dedication and high expectations in classrooms as reasons to recommend the district to other parents: “How I would convince a, parent to enroll their child in this district or in this school is the amazing, teachers and the dedication of the educators in this county,” the commenter said.

This account reflects a single public-comment statement and does not represent a policy change or board direction.