October 12, 2023
With their student bodies in on the surprise, district leadership, staff and teachers “broke-in” to Tyrone Middle School and Hollins High School this week to announce the Pinellas County Schools Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.
Linda Burris became principal at Tyrone Middle School in 2022. She previously served as Executive Director of Middle School Education (2021), Principal of Largo Middle School (2017 to 2021) and Principal of Clearwater Fundamental Middle School (2013-2017). She gained her assistant principal experience at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School (2010-2013). Prior to the start of her administrative career, she was a classroom teacher at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School (2003-2010) and at John Hopkins Middle School (1997-2003). She also served as a substitute teacher (1996-1997).
“It’s just amazing. It’s the teamwork it takes to get this job done,” Burris told Hendrick. “We have great teachers, great students and expectations across the board that we can do whatever we set our minds to do.”
On hand to help celebrate were Burris’s husband, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter as well as Superintendent Kevin Hendrick and Transformation Zone Superintendent Donnika Jones.
"Principal Burris is a tremendous turnaround principal, with a strong lens on school leadership." Jones said. "She has made a monumental impact on Tyrone Middle School and we couldn’t be more proud of Principal Burris being named the 2023-2024 Pinellas County Principal of the Year.
Candice Metcalf spent several years as a dedicated English and ESE teacher in Hillsborough County, Florida before being named Assistant Principal of Curriculum at Hollins. Metcalf oversees the english and reading departments and is the administrator for all 12th grade non-program students. She is committed to student growth, developing positive relationships within the educational community, and helping to shape the educational landscape of the school.
“It’s a huge honor, especially just being at this school because I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world when I get to come to work,” Metcalf said amidst her celebration. “Our leadership is, I think, is the best in the district so I feel like I’m really honored to be recognized because it’s everybody here that makes it so easy to do our work.”
Metcalf’s husband and children, sister, grandmother and best friend joined in to celebrate her on the Hollins campus on Thursday. Her students brought the party with a full band serenade, cardboard cutouts of her face throughout the crowd, a red carpet, cake and a sash and crown fit for a queen. Area 4 Superintendent Michael Vigue also helped with the surprise.
“Mrs. Metcalf is a dedicated professional who utilizes the attributes of hard work, high expectations, passion to do the right thing for stakeholders, and empathy each and every day,” said Vigue. “Her positive impact permeates throughout the Hollins HS campus and greater community.”
Congratulations to both administrators on this incredible honor!
