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Mabry Educator Returns

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

CULBREATH HEIGHTS - It was only about 10 months since leaving Mabry Elementary as its assistant principal before Gloria Waite was returning to the families and students she had missed.

Unpacking her boxes last week and preparing for her first official day as Mabry's principal, Waite said she was eager to be back, especially since she replaces one of her mentors, Scott Weaver, who took the helm at Westchase Elementary.

"I'm feeling welcomed," said Waite, 36. "And I'm very excited to be returning."

Waite has a bachelor's in education from Nova University and a master's in educational leadership and administration from Florida State University. The Key West native hopes to earn her doctorate once her husband, Kenny, finishes his degree.

They live in Northdale with their two daughters, ages 8 and 12, who attend Mabry and Coleman Middle. They also have a 20-year-old son who lives in Key West.

Waite was Mabry's assistant principal from 2005 until January, when she took a similar position at Town and Country Elementary.

Q. What do you want to bring to Mabry?

A. Something that's very important to me is communication. We already have a newsletter, an active Web site and an active PTA. I want to continue with that communication with the parents, students and community. I also want to continue to develop the relationship with Coleman, keeping the continuity for our students.

Q. Did you always want to teach?

A. I've always had a focus of spending my career in education.

Q. What challenges do you see at Mabry?

A. We have a wonderful school with a lot of parental support, which is fantastic. We also have a wonderful staff. I don't foresee any challenges.

Q. What else do you enjoy doing?

A. I like spending time with my family. We go to dance recitals for my daughter, who takes ballet and tap. I also teach religious education at my church, St. Timothy Catholic Church. Oh, and we're baseball fans, so we like going to the Tampa Bay Rays games.

Q. Did you have a favorite subject in school?

A. As a child, I just really enjoyed school as a whole. Science had the investigation and experiments, math had the computations and manipulations, and in reading there were new tales every day. I also do enjoy writing.

Q. What mark do you hope to make at Mabry?

A. My thumbprint would be to continue to move education forward here at Mabry, focusing on the whole child, improving them academically and involving them in other activities.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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