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New Principal Sees Wimauma As Last Stop

Tribune photo by LOIS KINDLE

Jeff Millman, 61, says he will finish his career of more than 30 years in education at Wimauma Elementary School, where he became principal in January.

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: March 4, 2009

WIMAUMA - During his 34 years with the Hillsborough County school district, Jeff Millman has certainly accepted his share of transfers.

Now nearing retirement age, he says his recent assignment to Wimauma Elementary School will be his last.

"This is my last stop until I retire," Millman said. "I have absolutely no desire to make another move. This is a phenomenal school with a tremendous team of teachers and staff and a community that really believes education is important."

Ninety-three percent of the Wimauma Elementary student population is economically disadvantaged; 90 percent are minorities and 82 percent Hispanic; 63 percent are English language learners and 15 percent have disabilities. Most of the students are the children of migrant farmworkers who speak little or no English.

Despite these challenges, the school has received an A grade from the state for the past three years.

Millman, 61, said he has served most of his career at Title I schools, so his experience will serve him well at Wimauma. This is the first time, however, that he has worked with a largely migrant population - and he doesn't speak Spanish.

"But my assistant principal, Milady Astacio, does," he said. "She has a finger on the pulse of everything these kids need."

"I have a very strong leadership team," he said.

Before he began teaching, Millman worked as a salesman for a hardware company in Philadelphia. But he didn't like the traveling and wanted to do something that made a difference in people's lives.

He started his teaching career as a physical education teacher at Dover Elementary School. Through the years, he taught special education, early exceptional learning and adult education, served as principal at Grady, Oak Park, Foster and James elementary schools, and worked as a supervisor of instructional materials.

In the late 1970s, he was the Hillsborough County School District's Special Olympics coordinator.

He transferred to Wimauma on Jan. 5 to replace Principal Roy Moral, who was assigned to Cypress Creek Elementary.

Millman looks forward to finishing his career at Wimauma.

"I enjoy making a difference in the lives of kids and being with people whose focus and passion are the students and their families," he said. "I feel very fortunate to be here."

GETTING TO KNOW

WHO: Jeff Millman

WHAT: Principal, Wimauma Elementary School

WHERE: 5709 Hickman St., Wimauma

AGE: 61

BIRTHPLACE: Rockaway, N.Y.

EDUCATION: Bachelor of science in business administration, Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, 1974; master's in special education, University of South Florida, 1975

PERSONAL: Married, 36 years; resides in Land O' Lakes; three adult children, 29, 27, and 19

CONTACT: (813) 671-5159

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

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