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Trio Of Local Educators Saluted

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2008

The surprise patrol has tapped three east Hillsborough County teachers as finalists for Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year - Terry Senhauser of Nelson Elementary School in Dover, Kristy Verdi of Randall Middle School in Lithia and Donald Langland of Brandon High School.

The nominations were made by the Hillsborough Education Foundation, which sent a team to all of the teachers' classrooms in December to surprise them with the news and gifts.

The winner will be announced Feb. 28 at a banquet and become a finalist in the Florida Teacher of the Year competition.

Donald Langland, Orchestra
Langland was surprised when the patrol arrived at his orchestra rehearsal session. He thought he was out of the running because the foundation announced an initial list of finalists several days earlier, and he wasn't on it. That's because the foundation held off on announcing several nominations until the next week.

Langland, 53, has been orchestra director at Brandon High for five years. His educational philosophy, he said, centers on effort.

"I tell my students that the word 'can't' is not a musical term, so we don't use that word," he said.
Langland said he finds being in the spotlight difficult.

"I am more the person who likes to be in background. I prefer to let my kids shine," he said.
Langland implemented two classes in the past year, music appreciation and advanced placement music theory.

In his 32nd year as a teacher, Langland said he sees music as a living, breathing subject. He sees his teaching in the same light.

"I am always questioning what I do and how I do it," he said, "looking to see if I can do it better or what I can do to make that light bulb go off in the student's head."

Terry Senhauser, Math And Science

Fourth-grade teacher Senhauser, 39, has been teaching for 11 years, five of them at Nelson Elementary.

He brings something different to the classroom: experience as a circus performer, with skills as a juggler and high-wire artist. He uses those skills to help his students meet goals and each year organizes a performance with students he has taught during the year.

"A theme in my room that I have posted on the wall reads 'Kids Under Construction,'" he said. "I think it's good to remind them that they are not finished. They are a work in progress, just as I'm not done yet. I tell my kids I will be a better teacher next year than I am this year.

"I use my circus skills and teach the kids how to spin plates as a motivating tool," he said. "But it's also an object lesson that we often don't get things right the first time, that math and science are skills that require practice.

"In the end, the lesson is that everyone is good at different things. Some students can't spin a plate but they do really well at other balance skills," he said. "I remember to praise the kids when they do well because it's important to have this kind of success now while in elementary school."

For his next act, he's working on developing an impersonation of President Theodore Roosevelt. He does a Johnny Appleseed performance for the kindergarten students each year, highlighting his favorite themes: the need to care for and protect the environment. The Roosevelt character will focus on recycling.

Kristy Verdi, Geography

Verdi, 42, thinks each child is special and all children learn differently.

"It's my job to teach different to reach every child," she said. "It's important because all these children are going to grow up and be somebody in the world, and they all deserve a good education."

Some of her greatest achievements, she said, came during the 13 years she taught high school and helped struggling students get diplomas.

"I have always lived in the same community that I teach in, and it has been so great to see these students graduate and go on in the world and then to run into them later on and see them as adults. Often, they would take time to thank me," she said.

Verdi was surprised and pleased by her nomination.

"Several years ago, I really wanted this kind of recognition," she said, "and it seemed so out of sight. Now, I am more interested in balancing family and work. But I am happy to have it, regardless."

Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampatrib.com.

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