TAMPA, FL -- Florida's newly crowned Teacher of the Year returned to class in Tampa Monday, greeted with balloons from students, flowers from her principal, and questions from a line of news reporters.
It was not a typical day for fourth grade reading teacher Megan Allen. evidentially, Allen is through with typical days for the next year. As Florida's teaching representative, Allen will have too many duties to teach.
"I'm going to spend my time traveling around the state, seeing what wonderful things are going on in classrooms around the state. Sharing my experiences, learning from others' experiences," Allen said.
Allen's principal Peter Russo told ABC Action News.com, "It's like you've got the best teacher in the state of Florida. Now we're going to take her for a year." Russo says he's thrilled for Allen, whom he calls an excellent teacher. However, he admits her absence will leave tough shoes to fill at Cleveland Elementary School.
