Hillsborough County School Board members held a recognition meeting Dec. 2 to honor student teams, outstanding teachers and district initiatives, and to spotlight a paid hybrid internship pilot the district plans to expand next semester.

Jessica Vaughn, chair of the Hillsborough County School Board, opened the Hills Schools TV recognition event and framed the evening around celebrating student achievement and workforce development. The meeting was ceremonial; the chair stated no business items would be approved and asked members to keep comments brief.

The board recognized athletic county champions across middle and high schools, naming coaches and student athletes from schools including Walker, Eisenhower, Martinez and others. Landis Robinson, the district director of athletics, and assistant director Burchill introduced teams and coaches and noted Armwood High’s football team was advancing to a state semifinal.

Career and technical education awards followed. Christopher Jargo, director of career and technical education, called up JROTC and career‑technical winners from Sickles, Alonso and Newsome high schools and highlighted national placements including Air Force Precision Marksmanship and National Youth Civic Summit awards.

The district also honored multiple student teams from HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), entrepreneurship competitions and Future Business Leaders of America for national-level placements. Presenters named individual students and their supporting principals and instructors.

Sabrina Gates and district staff recognized National Board Certified Teachers and candidates. The district called forward six initial National Board candidates (five teachers and one school counselor) and a list of maintenance‑of‑certification honorees, underscoring the district’s long‑standing support for professional certification.

Sarah K. Bondi and colleagues presented the para‑to‑professional teacher pathway, calling up seven paraprofessionals who completed degrees and moved into teaching roles; presenters described the pathway as a ‘grow your own’ recruitment and retention strategy.

District resource staff recognized two elementary schools—Kinley and Mitchell—for exemplary university partnerships with the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa that provide sustained clinical training for teacher candidates.

Board members highlighted a hybrid internship pilot developed with Dr. Laura Sabella of the University of South Florida that allows two interns to job‑share a full‑time teaching vacancy. In the pilot each of two interns serves as teacher of record for half the day and as a traditional intern the other half, while Kelley Education provides pay for the half‑day teaching assignment. The pilot ran this fall at Brandon High School; district presenters said they will expand the model next semester to fill additional language arts and social studies vacancies in high schools.

Human resources leaders announced the district earned the Family Friendly Business Award at the Gold level in the Family Friendly Tampa Bay program, and district well‑being staff accepted an Aetna workplace well‑being award at the platinum level for the district’s ‘Well‑being for You’ program. Aetna’s presentation referenced district program activity including on‑site biometric screening events and mammography bus events as part of the award application.

Emery Courtney closed the program by naming Healthy Schools quarterly champions and thanking partner organizations. The chair noted the meeting contained only recognitions and adjourned after the last presentation.