New teachers part of new program paid with money from foundation created by Bill and Melinda Gates.

New Tampa, Fla - More than 500 new teachers are going through orientation this week for the new school year in Hillsborough County.

The group of teachers are part of a unique new program made possible by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Over a lunch of salad and Sun Chips, four new teachers share stories about why they want to mold minds.

Teaching culinary arts will be a second career for new teacher Kenneth Robinson.

"Hopefully, I can make an impact on these kids and give them an actual marketable skill as soon as they leave," Robinson said.

Parri Sontag wanted out of her corporate communications gig.

"In the corporate world, I never got that gratification," Sontag said. "You don't see the big difference you're making, and the difference you're making, if it does have global impact, you really don't see it."

Ben Gaeth just graduated and is pumped to meet his players and students.

"A really big reason was to come down and coach football," Gaeth said.

While Lisa Lefkowitz is not new to teaching, she is new to Hillsborough County.

In fact, more than 500 new teachers are spending three days at Freedom High School at the orientation for new teachers. The teachers new mentors are also at the orientation.

"The need for this has been long known, but the ability to provide the support for our new teachers was just not available," mentor Beth Burgess said.

Funds for 46 mentors, like Burgess, are now available thanks to The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

In the next seven years, 100 million dollars will be donated to the district.

This year, Burgess will mentor 15 new teachers, including the ones visiting with one another at lunch.

"They're that person that allows you to kind of reflect on what you just learned and have those questions that your not sure where to turn to find the answer, you know that one person is gonna be there for you," Robinson said.

"It's a very good resource, very good to have, a little safety net," Gaeth said.

The safety net is now in place in hopes that new teachers will stay, and help the 8th largest school district in the country become one of the best.

"I am certain that our new teachers will become master teachers sooner," Burgess said.

The district says even when the money from the foundation runs out, they will continue to provide new teachers with mentors in the years to come.