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Principal Attains 'My Dream Job'

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 6, 2008

PLANT CITY - Everything came together for Susan Sullivan when the school board promoted her to principal at Tomlin Middle School.

Sullivan came to Tomlin from Plant City High School as an administrative resource teacher in January 2001. That fall she was named assistant principal and has worked in that role at Tomlin ever since.

"I attended Tomlin when it was a junior high school," Sullivan said. "It's my dream job to work here as the principal."

Sullivan replaces Beverly Carbaugh, who took a job as deputy superintendent for elementary education in Osceola County.

Sullivan, 48, was born in Plant City, "about four blocks from here, at South Florida Baptist Hospital," she said. She also attended Bryan Elementary School and Plant City High School and graduated from Stetson University in DeLand in 1981, with a degree in elementary education. She received a master's in educational leadership at the University of South Florida in 1984.

Hillsborough School Superintendent Mary Ellen Elia recommended Sullivan for the principal's job.

"It wasn't really official until the board voted on my appointment," Sullivan said. "But I was told I could notify my family so they could attend the school board meeting on Tuesday July 29. I had 32 family members and close friends at the meeting. They whooped and hollered when the appointment was made. It was like the Clampetts had just come to the big city. I loved it."

Lewis Brinson, the school district's assistant superintendent for administration, said the support for Sullivan at the meeting was important.

"Anytime you have strong support like that from the faculty and community where the appointment is made is a good thing," Brinson said. "Susan Sullivan has proven herself as a teacher and as an assistant principal. She is a well-rounded educator and has obviously gained the support of her staff."

Sullivan is married to David Sullivan, an executive with Platinum Bank. The couple recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. Their three sons all attended Tomlin. The oldest is a graduate of Plant City High and attends Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C. Their other sons, Brad and Chris, are Plant City High students.

Her sister Pam Bowden is principal at Durant High School. Another sister, Jeanne Knotts, will work at Jackson Elementary this fall as a guidance counselor. Her mother, Ruby Jean Redman, was an elementary school teacher in Gainesville and at Bryan Elementary in Plant City during the 1958-59 school year. Her late father, James L. Redman, was a local lawyer and former state representative.

"I have inherited a great school here at Tomlin," Sullivan said. "I know firsthand that we have a fantastic staff and a school rich with history and tradition."

Sullivan said the students and parents are kept aware of what's happening at the school.

"We have a very active PTA," she said, "and an attentive group of volunteers. We keep the standards high and celebrate during each grading period the successes made in school academics."

Tomlin received an A+ from the state in the past two school years. A continued focus on learning will make for a smooth transition, Sullivan said.

"We will concentrate on student achievement," Sullivan said. "We will continue to ask our teachers and students to work bell to bell. We expect the teacher to encourage the students to perform well every day. We have, and will continue to make a difference in the academic relationships with all our students."

Tomlin is one of the largest middle schools in the county, with about 1,500 students and 125 staff members. Plans for the 2009-10 school year call for a new wing of 16 classrooms to be built at Tomlin, 501 N. Woodrow Wilson St., near the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds. The new addition will eliminate the need for 11 portables in use on campus.

"We have 16 new teachers starting next week," Sullivan said. "Helping them to get acclimated and blended into the staff is always important."

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865 4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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