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Students surprise state's 'teacher of the year'

News Channel 8 photo by KATE CALDWELL

Florida teacher of the year Megan Allen accepts congratulations from students and parents at Broward Elementary School in Tampa.

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 13, 2009

TAMPA - Her students already knew Megan Allen was special before the state named her teacher of the year.

"She makes work fun," said 11-year-old Evelio Brown, who learned math skills at Cleveland Elementary School from Allen's domino math and bingo math games.

On Monday he held a homemade sign – "Way to Go, Megan."

More than 50 students, Cleveland Elementary Principal Peter Russo and Hillsborough County schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia surprised Allen as she dismissed her summer school students from class at Broward Elementary School.

They greeted her with red and white balloons, and a bouquet of flowers. They broke into a chant: "Allen, Allen, Allen."

It was the first day back in the classroom for the Cleveland Elementary fourth grade teacher since she was singled out among five finalists as the Florida Department of Education/Macy's 2010 Teacher of the Year.

"I'm just on top of the world right now," said Allen. In February she was named Hillsborough County's teacher of the year.

In addition to the state award she won $10,000, a $1,000 wardrobe, a $1,000 check for the school and an all-expense paid trip for four to New York City for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Allen will be a roving ambassador during the next school year, discussing education issues with students and other teachers. When lawmakers go into session next year in Tallahassee, she will be their voice.

"That's my main mission," Allen said. "What do they want?"

Teaching initially did not interest Allen as a career though her mother, Sandra Allen, taught science at middle and high schools in Polk County. She died in 2001 of pancreatic cancer during Allen's senior year in high school.

A portion of a garden at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is dedicated to her memory.
Allen said her mother inspired her to take another look at teaching.

"There is a lot of her in this," Allen said of her state honor.

Mae Johnson said Allen and others at Cleveland Elementary give students a lot of individual attention. Johnson, who volunteers her time, has had three children at the school including 12-year-old Lavera Huff who will be going to middle school next year.

"It breaks my heart for her to be leaving there," Johnson said.

Though Huff said Allen wasn't her teacher, she has on occasion given rides to school to her and others. She does extra things for students, Huff said.

Russo said Cleveland Elementary is a true neighborhood school to about 370 students.
"It's a very family-oriented school," he said. "It's a nice walking school."

The only drawback to Allen's win is she won't be teaching at Cleveland Elementary while fulfilling her duties as teacher of the year.

"She's brought such life to our school," Russo said. "It's going to be hard to replace her."

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