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Thomas C. Tobin - Editor, Education and Clearwater
Thomas C. Tobin

Editor, Education and Clearwater

I lead a talented team of journalists covering a diverse range of topics including education, religion, local nonprofits and the city of Clearwater. When I arrived in Tampa Bay in the mid-1980s from my hometown of St. Louis, Florida was just coming into its own as the economic, political and cultural powerhouse it is today. Since then I've covered local and state government, election issues, education and more. As the Times’ state reporter for two years, I got a chance to travel to a different corner of Florida every week. For a time, I delved into the world of Scientology. It’s been amazing to see our state and our region grow. I love to hear from readers. Give me a shout any time.

  1. Hillsborough sheriff charges man, 18, with threatening ‘the nearest school’
    May 30• Crime
    Corey Anderson, 18, was charged on Sunday, May 29, 2022, with Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting or Act of Terrorism, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.
  2. Meet Hernando County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2022
    May 27• The Education Gradebook
    In this livestream image, math teacher and senior class sponsor Tara Ferlita is seen raising her arms in celebration after telling graduates at Nature Coast Technical High to turn their tassels at the school's commencement ceremony on Friday, May 20, 2022. Graduations for the Hernando County School District's four other high schools were scheduled for May 26, 27 and 28.
  3. Here’s what Tampa Bay school leaders are saying about the Texas shooting
    May 25• The Education Gradebook
    This March 2022 photo provided by Manny Renfro shows his grandson, Uziyah Garcia, while on spring break in San Angelo, Texas. The 8-year-old was among those killed in Tuesday's shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24 in Uvalde, Texas.
  5. A look at Pasco County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2022
    May 20• The Education Gradebook
    Graduates from River Ridge High in New Port Richey celebrate before their commencement ceremony in 2014. The class of 2022 in Pasco County will get its chance in the coming days, with graduations scheduled through late May and early June.
  6. Here are the top students at Pinellas private schools for 2022
    May 17• The Education Gradebook
    Students from Pinellas County private schools are graduating this month along with their peers in area public schools.
  7. Introducing the valedictorians and salutatorians for Pinellas public schools
    May 17• The Education Gradebook
    Seniors applaud at the conclusion of the Star-Spangled Banner during Pinellas Park High School's graduation ceremony at Tropicana Field in 2019. Ceremonies for the Class of 2022 begin Thursday at the Trop, where all but three Pinellas high schools will hold their commencements.
  8. $2M gift ensures future of Walker’s Rising Stars arts competition in Pinellas
    May 12• The Education Gradebook
    Philanthropist Jeffrey Walker, center, joins students rehearsing for the Walker’s Rising Stars competition at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Thursday, May 12, 2022. From left are Megan Bishop, Kiley Campbell, Christy Do, Luna Garcia, Walker, Pinellas Education Foundation CEO Stacy Baier, Meghan McMillin, Charlie Lane, Sophia Sapienza and Afeiyah Kamall.
  9. Hillsborough County’s private schools celebrate their top students
    May 10• The Education Gradebook
    Hillsborough County's private-school graduates will join their peers from area public schools in celebration over the next few weeks.
  10. Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians from Hillsborough public schools
    May 10• The Education Gradebook
    Graduates take their seats during Durant High School's 2019 commencement at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Graduation season for Hillsborough County's Class of 2022 will run from May 17-28 this year, with most ceremonies scheduled for the Fairgrounds.
  11. A closer look at Florida’s rejected math textbooks
    Apr. 29• The Education Gradebook
    Pictured are some of the math textbooks that Florida rejected two weeks ago, saying they contained "prohibited topics and unsolicited strategies." State officials continue to turn away questions about the decision.
  12. Here are the math textbooks Florida rejected for having unwanted topics
    Apr. 21• The Education Gradebook
    Florida Republican leaders allege publishers are trying to indoctrinate children by slipping "unsolicited strategies" and "prohibited topics" into textbooks.
  13. East Lake High art educator is Pinellas County’s Teacher of the Year
    Jan. 27• The Education Gradebook
    Pinellas County Teacher of the Year Eileen Iacobucci is greeted by East Lake High School Principal Carmela Haley on Thursday at the school. Iacobucci, who has been a visual arts teacher at East Lake since 2007 and has worked in Pinellas County Schools since 1998.
  14. Hernando County announces its Teacher of the Year
    Jan. 25• The Education Gradebook
    Lt. Cmdr. Christian Cruz, a retired U.S. Navy officer, was announced Tuesday as Hernando County's Teacher of the Year.
  15. Pinellas announces its Teacher of the Year this week. Meet the finalists.
    Jan. 24• The Education Gradebook
    Visual arts teacher Eileen Iacobucci was cheered by students at East Lake High in November after she was named one of 10 finalists for 2021-22 Pinellas Teacher of the Year. A winner will be announced Wednesday in a ceremony at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.
  16. Tampa Bay schools report 7,100 COVID cases for the week, a pandemic record
    Jan. 15• Health
    Students cross Fishhawk Boulevard to Newsome High in Lithia in October 2020. This week, Newsome reported 104 cases of COVID-19 among students and staff as Tampa Bay area schools saw their highest weekly case count since the pandemic began.
  17. Last-minute shopping? Here’s what’s open, closed Christmas weekend
    Dec. 24, 2021• Business
    Weekend store hours were changed with Christmas 2021 falling on a Saturday. Some retailers were open most of the day Friday and planned to reopen as normal on Sunday.
  18. Applying for a choice school in Tampa Bay? It’s time to get in gear.
    Oct. 13, 2021• The Education Gradebook
    The Center for Innovation & Digital Learning at Gulf Beaches Elementary is one of 81 choice programs offered by Pinellas County Schools for the 2022-23 academic year.
  19. 130 Tampa Bay seniors are National Merit Semifinalists this year
    Sep. 17, 2021• The Education Gradebook
    Dozens of Tampa Bay area seniors on their way to graduation this spring have been named National Merit Semifinalists for 2022. Many will become finalists later this school year and will qualify for college scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship program.
  20. Parents, tell us your thoughts as COVID cases rise in Tampa Bay schools
    Aug. 17, 2021• The Education Gradebook
    Children arrive at Clearwater's Skycrest Elementary on Aug. 11, the first day of the 2021-22 school year in Pinellas County.
  21. Pinellas County’s first day of school: Here’s how the morning went.
    Aug. 11, 2021• The Education Gradebook
    Jeremiah Marbrey, 12, (right) arrives along with other students at Bay Point Middle School for the first day of school for Pinellas County students, Wednesday, August 11, 2021 in St. Petersburg.
  22. First day of school in Tampa Bay: high hopes and concern as 2021-22 begins
    Aug. 10, 2021• The Education Gradebook
    Sunlake High School seniors congregate on the school’s football field for Senior Sunrise and Last First Day activities during the first day of school for Pasco County Students on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, in Land O’ Lakes.
  23. Here’s how to track today’s Pinellas School Board discussion on masks
    Aug. 9, 2021• The Education Gradebook
    Pinellas School Board chairperson Carol Cook presides over a recent meeting. Monday's board meeting on the topic of masks will not be livestreamed.
  24. Parents, teachers, tell us how you’re feeling about the first day of school
    Aug. 9, 2021• The Education Gradebook
    Crossing guard Sonia Rodriguez, 69, of Clearwater stops traffic as vehicles pass along Drew Street in Clearwater. Guards spend four hours for their certifications, three hours classroom and one hour of practical training. Pinellas County Schools’ students return to classes on Wednesday.
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