Kathi Bentley

Principal

Dear Parents and Community Members:

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. I am thrilled to have you and your children as part of the Fuguitt Family. It is an honor to be your principal at Fuguitt Elementary School. I am truly blessed to be the instructional leader of such an awesome school community. I have been dedicated to the field of education for more than twenty-eight years. During this time, my experiences include teaching mathematics for more than nine years in junior high, high school and college. I’ve served as an administrator at the high school, middle school and elementary level. In 2011, I completed my Doctorate of Education at the University of South Florida. My husband, Cris, and I have been married for more than 30 years and we have two little Chihuahuas named Lucy and Lola.

This past year, we faced many challenges, yet our students remained steadfast in their pursuit of academic excellence! In 2019, we earned a B from the state of Florida, only 5 points from an A!! Our teachers and students out performed all other Title I schools in our district. Each new school year brings opportunities for both academic and personal growth. I am very excited about our continued implementation of the 7 Habits found in Steven R. Covey’s Leader in Me program. We pride ourselves on developing a culture where students are empowered for success! For our students to be successful, we need your help. You are a special and unique part of our learning community. Collaboration with your child's teacher is a main ingredient to a healthy and successful year. Open communication is vital to ensure a successful home-school partnership throughout the year. Parent involvement is an important aspect of every child's education and is the primary factor of students' success in school. Our school offers a variety of family involvement opportunities as we want our parents to feel welcome and be part of our learning community. I welcome and encourage you to join our PTA and to serve on our School Advisory Council. Numerous parent workshops and evening events will be held throughout the school year. Please monitor the school calendar and our website for the upcoming events. I look forward to sharing these new opportunities with you. Together, we will grow leaders one child at a time.  

My priorities as principal include: increasing student achievement through improved teacher quality and effectiveness in the classroom, increasing parental involvement that promotes clear support of the instructional program and continuing to build the leaders through character education that has been the foundation of success here at Fuguitt with the Leader in Me program. However, my most important priority is our kids. This is the one area that I will not compromise nor grow weary. Fuguitt Elementary School students deserve the best. I am passionate about my mission as principal and I will make decisions that are in the best interest of your child.

Our job is to continue to strive for excellence and make Fuguitt Elementary School world class. As the only school in the Tampa Bay area to implement The Leader in Me program, all of us at Fuguitt Elementary School are eager and excited to begin what promises to be the best year ever. We will continue to provide academic experiences for our students that are rigorous and relevant while building strong relationships with you. As your principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our doors-staff, students, and parents is excited to be here! This attitude enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, fun and nurturing environment.

If I can be of assistance, please call, email, or stop in to see me! It is through a collaborative learning community with consistent, honest, and open communication that I can best serve our students. Thank you for the opportunity to work with this awesome community and I welcome each of you to Fuguitt Elementary – our students are ready to take center stage!

Kindest Regards,
Kathi Bentley, Ed.D.