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![The text of Barbara Franques' farewell speech (continued):
I am eternally grateful to the many wonderful educators and friends who molded my life, opened doors of opportunity, and in some cases gave me a little push to get me on my way. Thank you, Larry Martin and Joe Newsome, for seeing leadership qualities and potential in me that I was unaware of. Your belief in me and your nudges along the way helped me to realize my dreams. Thank you for teaching me how to develop strategies that would produce results, for your mentoring and guidance, but most importantly your faith in me.
I appreciate the Gibsonton Elementary faculty and staff for allowing me to try out with them the 19 competencies of leadership for principals. Although my tenure there was short, they taught me so much. With the networking and assistance of many outstanding principal colleagues, please know that I even perfected some of the competencies over time. I am grateful to Barbara Ammiratti and Jan Henrick. We were quite a team. I also appreciate Wanda Baker for making Ashlea’s wait after school each day fun and bearable.
The opportunity for me to return home to become principal of Bryan Elementary was a dream come true. The Bryan faculty taught me that the ability to create a sense of family has nothing to do with numbers. With an enrollment of 1,250 students and 23 portables, the faculty and staff remained steadfast in their commitment for all children to succeed. Our path to success was paved by the collaborative efforts of faculty, parents, and community. Each February, as principal of Bryan, I was excited for the Strawberry Festival to begin and thankful 11 days later when the last car left the parking lot!
I am often asked what my favorite position in education has been. I have truly enjoyed every assignment and loved each school, but the highlight of my career was my appointment to Walden Lake Elementary as the charter principal. Oh the excitement, the work, the challenges, the work, the celebrations, the work. What an experience to be part of a dynamic team of educators and parents who worked together to establish traditions and to set high expectations for student achievement and success. The Eagles have continued to soar with pride and excellence since 1991. I am eternally grateful to Linda Sweat and the charter faculty, staff, students, and parents for believing in me as we took the Eagles’ first flight together.
I especially admire Beverly Carbaugh, charter assistant principal, for expertise, knowledge, and ability to transform all of my great ideas into organized, detailed, well-planned and scheduled activities for teachers and students. Beverly, thank you for your unwavering loyalty and for always making me “look good” while acting as though you were learning from me. I am very proud of the leader that you are and cherish our friendship. Thank you to those who joined the Walden Lake team after our charter year. You remained true to the commitment to success and provided many opportunities for students to soar to great heights.
To the parents of my former classroom students and children at each of the schools where I served as principal, thank you for entrusting your child to my care and for allowing me the pleasure of being a part of their lives. A special thank you is extended to the many PTA officers who worked tirelessly to provide additional resources and opportunities for our students. My hat is off to you for a job well done.
I thank Superintendent Dr. [Raymond] Shelton for his wisdom and for hiring me. I thank Superintendent Dr. [Walter] Sickles for his insight and for not firing me when I pursued the correction of the salary schedule. Thank you, Superintendent Dr. [Earl] Lennard, for your leadership and for appointing me area director, thereby providing me the opportunity to give back to the community that I love, for it has given so much to me. I also thank Mrs. [MaryEllen] Elia [the current superintendent] for her expertise and expectation for excellence.
To previous and current [Hillsborough County] School Board members, I appreciate the confidence and support you have given to me. You have an awesome responsibility and I applaud you for the task you do.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 11 years of my career, serving as area director for Area VI schools. Jean Pate, thank you for mentoring me so that I could follow in the footsteps of the previous leaders. As the area office secretary, it took Jean 16 years to train Mr. [Bud] Nifong, 13 years to train Mr. [Larry] Martin, but only five years to train me before her retirement. Perhaps it is true what they say, that women learn faster and are easier to train than men! I appreciated Jean’s gentle way of letting me know that the rather direct memo I asked her to type might need further review when she asked, “Do you plan to sleep on that before sending it?” Thank you, Jean, for your wisdom.
I am also appreciative to all of the supervisors and support employees in the Area VI office. I applaud you for your dedication and for the assistance you provide to the Area VI schools. Alice Loeb, thank you for extending your area of responsibility to embrace the Area VI guidance counselors in addition to the assistant principals. Dorinda, I admire your ability to bring organization to the many events we hosted. From themes for the packet meetings, recognitions, celebrations and luncheons for Relay For Life, you always knew “how to make it happen.” Thank you.
I have often felt like the Old Woman in the Shoe, with her 32 principals. I never knew what they might do! Area VI principals, you have been an inspiration to me. Each time you reached or exceeded a goal, received awards and recognition at the district, state or national level, or were acknowledged for outstanding student or teacher performance, I would swell with pride. And I still do!
I thank former and current Area VI principals for your exemplary leadership, our commitment to excellence, and your willingness to do whatever is necessary to ensure student achievement and success. It has been said, “When building a team, always look for people who love to win. If you can’t find any of those, search for people who hate to lose.” Principals, I appreciate your competitive spirit as you lead the district in student attendance, your ability to hire effective teachers and to motivate them to excellence, your emphasis on accuracy and accountability, your academic focus and attention to the needs of students, your generosity and commitment to Relay For Life, your creation of family and community for students, parents, and staff, and the importance you place on the preservation of history and traditions while gaining knowledge for the future. I have truly been blessed to work with the best!
Principals, I also appreciate your enthusiasm and “tolerance” each year in support of the welcome back meeting themes. Whether we were “Rocking Around the Clock,” “Going for the Gold at the Olympics,” “Off to the Races,” helping Miss Kitty tame the “Wild, Wild West,” or reflecting upon our “School Days,” you embraced each challenge to attain the goals we set for student achievement and success. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our children.
Area VI teachers and staff members at each school, thank you for establishing high expectations, for fostering an enthusiasm for learning, and for providing opportunities for every student to achieve and succeed.
Thank you, community members, business partners, [Plant] City commissioners, and parents for your contributions of resources and support for the initiatives, activities, and programs in our schools. Your generosity enabled us to build the playground for students at Willis Peters Exceptional Center. Thank you for making our dreams and wishes come true.
Area directors, both past and present, assistant superintendents, Randy [Poindexter], Ken [Otero], and Lewis [Brinson], and administrative staff, thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge, for your guidance and support, and for providing enjoyment and fun as we worked during staff meetings. You are truly some of the finest, more remarkable educators I have had the pleasure to know and opportunity to work for. Whatever the task, whatever the challenge, we made a decision, devised a plan, and executed it with confidence. I treasure our friendships and hold each of you in the highest esteem.
I have been truly blessed with a loving, supportive family. Tom, of course, was always my greatest advocate. His encouragement and belief in me gave me the courage to take the risk to apply for each administrative position I’ve held. His love, wish for my success, and support inspired me to be the best that I could be. Tom was the master at aiming the spotlight on me so that I could shine! I treasure the memories of our years together.
Ashlea, I appreciate your willingness to share me, my time and attention, with other children. I know that at times you felt like you had hundreds of siblings. It was truly a joy for me to be your elementary principal. I have often wondered if your love of children and decision to become a pediatrician was influenced, in part, by the many afternoons you waited for me after school. Ashlea, I admire your dedication to children and applaud your accomplishments, but I especially treasure your character and treasure the values that you hold dear. You have always made your daddy and me proud. I love you with all of my heart.
It is very true what is said about family and friends. You are the flowers in the garden of my life. I am very grateful to have been blessed with many of both. By always being there for me, family and friends have been the radiant flowers in the beautiful bouquets that represent the celebrations and happy occasions that we shared and you have also been the sturdy stems and roots of the flowers in the bouquets of love extended during my time of sorrow.
Following my loss, I appreciated and cherished the love and support Cathy Valdes gave me at work and that Debbie Eisenbach provided for me at home. Both of you made my days brighter.
Thank you, to all of the flowers in my garden, for your love and support, for reminding me of the beauty all around us and the importance of taking time “to smell the roses.”
I have had a wonderful career filled with many, many cheerleaders and fans. Thank you, Judy Connell, head cheerleader, for your cards of congratulations for every milestone, promotion, achievement, and award that I have received during the past 38 years. Judy, that was a lot of postage!
Thank you, to each of you for sharing in my retirement celebration and for making a difference in my life. Your presence today has made this event very special to me. I wish you success, health, happiness, and Godspeed. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!!!!](http://www.mypapernow.com/Other/Barbara-Franques-Plant-Retires/i-TqMsXJR/0/Ti/DSC_1302-Ti.jpg "The text of Barbara Franques' farewell speech (continued):
I am eternally grateful to the many wonderful educators and friends who molded my life, opened doors of opportunity, and in some cases gave me a little push to get me on my way. Thank you, Larry Martin and Joe Newsome, for seeing leadership qualities and potential in me that I was unaware of. Your belief in me and your nudges along the way helped me to realize my dreams. Thank you for teaching me how to develop strategies that would produce results, for your mentoring and guidance, but most importantly your faith in me.
I appreciate the Gibsonton Elementary faculty and staff for allowing me to try out with them the 19 competencies of leadership for principals. Although my tenure there was short, they taught me so much. With the networking and assistance of many outstanding principal colleagues, please know that I even perfected some of the competencies over time. I am grateful to Barbara Ammiratti and Jan Henrick. We were quite a team. I also appreciate Wanda Baker for making Ashlea’s wait after school each day fun and bearable.
The opportunity for me to return home to become principal of Bryan Elementary was a dream come true. The Bryan faculty taught me that the ability to create a sense of family has nothing to do with numbers. With an enrollment of 1,250 students and 23 portables, the faculty and staff remained steadfast in their commitment for all children to succeed. Our path to success was paved by the collaborative efforts of faculty, parents, and community. Each February, as principal of Bryan, I was excited for the Strawberry Festival to begin and thankful 11 days later when the last car left the parking lot!
I am often asked what my favorite position in education has been. I have truly enjoyed every assignment and loved each school, but the highlight of my career was my appointment to Walden Lake Elementary as the charter principal. Oh the excitement, the work, the challenges, the work, the celebrations, the work. What an experience to be part of a dynamic team of educators and parents who worked together to establish traditions and to set high expectations for student achievement and success. The Eagles have continued to soar with pride and excellence since 1991. I am eternally grateful to Linda Sweat and the charter faculty, staff, students, and parents for believing in me as we took the Eagles’ first flight together.
I especially admire Beverly Carbaugh, charter assistant principal, for expertise, knowledge, and ability to transform all of my great ideas into organized, detailed, well-planned and scheduled activities for teachers and students. Beverly, thank you for your unwavering loyalty and for always making me “look good” while acting as though you were learning from me. I am very proud of the leader that you are and cherish our friendship. Thank you to those who joined the Walden Lake team after our charter year. You remained true to the commitment to success and provided many opportunities for students to soar to great heights.
To the parents of my former classroom students and children at each of the schools where I served as principal, thank you for entrusting your child to my care and for allowing me the pleasure of being a part of their lives. A special thank you is extended to the many PTA officers who worked tirelessly to provide additional resources and opportunities for our students. My hat is off to you for a job well done.
I thank Superintendent Dr. [Raymond] Shelton for his wisdom and for hiring me. I thank Superintendent Dr. [Walter] Sickles for his insight and for not firing me when I pursued the correction of the salary schedule. Thank you, Superintendent Dr. [Earl] Lennard, for your leadership and for appointing me area director, thereby providing me the opportunity to give back to the community that I love, for it has given so much to me. I also thank Mrs. [MaryEllen] Elia [the current superintendent] for her expertise and expectation for excellence.
To previous and current [Hillsborough County] School Board members, I appreciate the confidence and support you have given to me. You have an awesome responsibility and I applaud you for the task you do.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 11 years of my career, serving as area director for Area VI schools. Jean Pate, thank you for mentoring me so that I could follow in the footsteps of the previous leaders. As the area office secretary, it took Jean 16 years to train Mr. [Bud] Nifong, 13 years to train Mr. [Larry] Martin, but only five years to train me before her retirement. Perhaps it is true what they say, that women learn faster and are easier to train than men! I appreciated Jean’s gentle way of letting me know that the rather direct memo I asked her to type might need further review when she asked, “Do you plan to sleep on that before sending it?” Thank you, Jean, for your wisdom.
I am also appreciative to all of the supervisors and support employees in the Area VI office. I applaud you for your dedication and for the assistance you provide to the Area VI schools. Alice Loeb, thank you for extending your area of responsibility to embrace the Area VI guidance counselors in addition to the assistant principals. Dorinda, I admire your ability to bring organization to the many events we hosted. From themes for the packet meetings, recognitions, celebrations and luncheons for Relay For Life, you always knew “how to make it happen.” Thank you.
I have often felt like the Old Woman in the Shoe, with her 32 principals. I never knew what they might do! Area VI principals, you have been an inspiration to me. Each time you reached or exceeded a goal, received awards and recognition at the district, state or national level, or were acknowledged for outstanding student or teacher performance, I would swell with pride. And I still do!
I thank former and current Area VI principals for your exemplary leadership, our commitment to excellence, and your willingness to do whatever is necessary to ensure student achievement and success. It has been said, “When building a team, always look for people who love to win. If you can’t find any of those, search for people who hate to lose.” Principals, I appreciate your competitive spirit as you lead the district in student attendance, your ability to hire effective teachers and to motivate them to excellence, your emphasis on accuracy and accountability, your academic focus and attention to the needs of students, your generosity and commitment to Relay For Life, your creation of family and community for students, parents, and staff, and the importance you place on the preservation of history and traditions while gaining knowledge for the future. I have truly been blessed to work with the best!
Principals, I also appreciate your enthusiasm and “tolerance” each year in support of the welcome back meeting themes. Whether we were “Rocking Around the Clock,” “Going for the Gold at the Olympics,” “Off to the Races,” helping Miss Kitty tame the “Wild, Wild West,” or reflecting upon our “School Days,” you embraced each challenge to attain the goals we set for student achievement and success. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our children.
Area VI teachers and staff members at each school, thank you for establishing high expectations, for fostering an enthusiasm for learning, and for providing opportunities for every student to achieve and succeed.
Thank you, community members, business partners, [Plant] City commissioners, and parents for your contributions of resources and support for the initiatives, activities, and programs in our schools. Your generosity enabled us to build the playground for students at Willis Peters Exceptional Center. Thank you for making our dreams and wishes come true.
Area directors, both past and present, assistant superintendents, Randy [Poindexter], Ken [Otero], and Lewis [Brinson], and administrative staff, thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge, for your guidance and support, and for providing enjoyment and fun as we worked during staff meetings. You are truly some of the finest, more remarkable educators I have had the pleasure to know and opportunity to work for. Whatever the task, whatever the challenge, we made a decision, devised a plan, and executed it with confidence. I treasure our friendships and hold each of you in the highest esteem.
I have been truly blessed with a loving, supportive family. Tom, of course, was always my greatest advocate. His encouragement and belief in me gave me the courage to take the risk to apply for each administrative position I’ve held. His love, wish for my success, and support inspired me to be the best that I could be. Tom was the master at aiming the spotlight on me so that I could shine! I treasure the memories of our years together.
Ashlea, I appreciate your willingness to share me, my time and attention, with other children. I know that at times you felt like you had hundreds of siblings. It was truly a joy for me to be your elementary principal. I have often wondered if your love of children and decision to become a pediatrician was influenced, in part, by the many afternoons you waited for me after school. Ashlea, I admire your dedication to children and applaud your accomplishments, but I especially treasure your character and treasure the values that you hold dear. You have always made your daddy and me proud. I love you with all of my heart.
It is very true what is said about family and friends. You are the flowers in the garden of my life. I am very grateful to have been blessed with many of both. By always being there for me, family and friends have been the radiant flowers in the beautiful bouquets that represent the celebrations and happy occasions that we shared and you have also been the sturdy stems and roots of the flowers in the bouquets of love extended during my time of sorrow.
Following my loss, I appreciated and cherished the love and support Cathy Valdes gave me at work and that Debbie Eisenbach provided for me at home. Both of you made my days brighter.
Thank you, to all of the flowers in my garden, for your love and support, for reminding me of the beauty all around us and the importance of taking time “to smell the roses.”
I have had a wonderful career filled with many, many cheerleaders and fans. Thank you, Judy Connell, head cheerleader, for your cards of congratulations for every milestone, promotion, achievement, and award that I have received during the past 38 years. Judy, that was a lot of postage!
Thank you, to each of you for sharing in my retirement celebration and for making a difference in my life. Your presence today has made this event very special to me. I wish you success, health, happiness, and Godspeed. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!!!!")
Barbara Franques took relish in her retirement reception, which capped a 38-year career in the HIllsborough County School District, where she graduated from Plant City High School and began her teaching career at Springhead Elementary School. She retires as one of seven area directors. Her Area VI district included Durant, Newsome, Plant City, and the newly opened Strawberry Crest high schools.
The text of Barbara Franques' farewell speech:
Where does one begin to express a lifetime of gratitude and appreciation to the many wonderful people who have given me so much? Thank you to everyone in attendance, you have made this day very special for me.
Wow!! What a party!!
A special thank you to the committee members who have been working diligently for months to make this celebration possible. Everyone has been so secretive. I finally learned of the location when I received my invitation! I am also very grateful to the Florida Strawberry Festival Board of Directors for providing this wonderful venue for us today.
To our program participants and platform guests, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The program has been delightful. Thank you students, you made this day very special for me.
Although my childhood was not overflowing with an abundance of monetary goods, our mother’s unconditional love, her unwavering faith in God, and her uncompromising belief in Patsy and me, blessed us with priceless gifts. Our mother had only one expectation for Pasty and me and that was that we always did our best. Of course, when Patsy, being the much older sister, set the bar for expectations so high, I had to work really hard to compete. Principals, you can thank my sister for developing and sharpening my competitive drive and spirit.
As my first teachers, Mama taught me the beauty and power of inner strength and being happy with the person you are. Patsy taught me to recognize the qualities of an effective teacher while she played the leading role of instructor with me as her student each day after school. Gigi, our beloved grandmother, taught me the benefit of having determination, that there is much to be learned for those who are adventurous, and “if you find that you are already skating on thin ice, why not dance?” And, of course, having an opinion and remaining steadfast in my beliefs. Now many of you know who to blame!
(Text continues with next News-Shots)
The text of Barbara Franques' farewell speech:
Where does one begin to express a lifetime of gratitude and appreciation to the many wonderful people who have given me so much? Thank you to everyone in attendance, you have made this day very special for me.
Wow!! What a party!!
A special thank you to the committee members who have been working diligently for months to make this celebration possible. Everyone has been so secretive. I finally learned of the location when I received my invitation! I am also very grateful to the Florida Strawberry Festival Board of Directors for providing this wonderful venue for us today.
To our program participants and platform guests, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The program has been delightful. Thank you students, you made this day very special for me.
Although my childhood was not overflowing with an abundance of monetary goods, our mother’s unconditional love, her unwavering faith in God, and her uncompromising belief in Patsy and me, blessed us with priceless gifts. Our mother had only one expectation for Pasty and me and that was that we always did our best. Of course, when Patsy, being the much older sister, set the bar for expectations so high, I had to work really hard to compete. Principals, you can thank my sister for developing and sharpening my competitive drive and spirit.
As my first teachers, Mama taught me the beauty and power of inner strength and being happy with the person you are. Patsy taught me to recognize the qualities of an effective teacher while she played the leading role of instructor with me as her student each day after school. Gigi, our beloved grandmother, taught me the benefit of having determination, that there is much to be learned for those who are adventurous, and “if you find that you are already skating on thin ice, why not dance?” And, of course, having an opinion and remaining steadfast in my beliefs. Now many of you know who to blame!
(Text continues with next News-Shots)
Barbara Franques took relish in her retirement reception, which capped a 38-year career in the HIllsborough County School District, where she graduated from Plant City High School and began her teaching career at Springhead Elementary School. She retires as one of seven area directors. Her Area VI district included Durant, Newsome, Plant City, and the newly opened Strawberry Crest high schools.
The text of Barbara Franques' farewell speech:
Where does one begin to express a lifetime of gratitude and appreciation to the many wonderful people who have given me so much? Thank you to everyone in attendance, you have made this day very special for me.
Wow!! What a party!!
A special thank you to the committee members who have been working diligently for months to make this celebration possible. Everyone has been so secretive. I finally learned of the location when I received my invitation! I am also very grateful to the Florida Strawberry Festival Board of Directors for providing this wonderful venue for us today.
To our program participants and platform guests, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The program has been delightful. Thank you students, you made this day very special for me.
Although my childhood was not overflowing with an abundance of monetary goods, our mother’s unconditional love, her unwavering faith in God, and her uncompromising belief in Patsy and me, blessed us with priceless gifts. Our mother had only one expectation for Pasty and me and that was that we always did our best. Of course, when Patsy, being the much older sister, set the bar for expectations so high, I had to work really hard to compete. Principals, you can thank my sister for developing and sharpening my competitive drive and spirit.
As my first teachers, Mama taught me the beauty and power of inner strength and being happy with the person you are. Patsy taught me to recognize the qualities of an effective teacher while she played the leading role of instructor with me as her student each day after school. Gigi, our beloved grandmother, taught me the benefit of having determination, that there is much to be learned for those who are adventurous, and “if you find that you are already skating on thin ice, why not dance?” And, of course, having an opinion and remaining steadfast in my beliefs. Now many of you know who to blame!
(Text continues with next News-Shots)
The text of Barbara Franques' farewell speech:
Where does one begin to express a lifetime of gratitude and appreciation to the many wonderful people who have given me so much? Thank you to everyone in attendance, you have made this day very special for me.
Wow!! What a party!!
A special thank you to the committee members who have been working diligently for months to make this celebration possible. Everyone has been so secretive. I finally learned of the location when I received my invitation! I am also very grateful to the Florida Strawberry Festival Board of Directors for providing this wonderful venue for us today.
To our program participants and platform guests, thank you from the bottom of my heart. The program has been delightful. Thank you students, you made this day very special for me.
Although my childhood was not overflowing with an abundance of monetary goods, our mother’s unconditional love, her unwavering faith in God, and her uncompromising belief in Patsy and me, blessed us with priceless gifts. Our mother had only one expectation for Pasty and me and that was that we always did our best. Of course, when Patsy, being the much older sister, set the bar for expectations so high, I had to work really hard to compete. Principals, you can thank my sister for developing and sharpening my competitive drive and spirit.
As my first teachers, Mama taught me the beauty and power of inner strength and being happy with the person you are. Patsy taught me to recognize the qualities of an effective teacher while she played the leading role of instructor with me as her student each day after school. Gigi, our beloved grandmother, taught me the benefit of having determination, that there is much to be learned for those who are adventurous, and “if you find that you are already skating on thin ice, why not dance?” And, of course, having an opinion and remaining steadfast in my beliefs. Now many of you know who to blame!
(Text continues with next News-Shots)
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