Latest from the Superintendent

Welcome from the Superintendent

To: Parents and Guardians

From: Mark McQueen, Superintendent

Date: May 1, 2025

We all remember that one teacher—the one who saw something in us before we saw it in ourselves. The one who made learning exciting, who showed up day after day with kindness, patience, and purpose. This week, we’re celebrating every teacher who has made that kind of difference, right here in Bay District Schools.

Teacher Appreciation Week begins on Saturday, and we will spend eight full days celebrating the extraordinary educators who make our schools shine.

Our teachers are the backbone of Bay District Schools. They are classroom leaders, role models, cheerleaders, and sometimes even stand-in family members. They nurture curiosity, model perseverance, and invest in every student’s success. While we try to show appreciation all year, this week gives us an exceptional opportunity to pause and say three very important words: THANK YOU TEACHERS!.

Thanks to the generosity of our community partners, we’re giving away nearly $10,000 worth of gifts this week to recognize outstanding teachers across the district. These gifts are made possible by sponsors who believe in public education and the impact of excellent teaching.

We’re deeply grateful to our district-level partners:

BGN Contractors
Tyndall Federal Credit Union
Pineapple Willy’s
Innovations Financial Credit Union
Grand Canyon University
Champions First Credit Union
D.R. Horton
Bay Education Foundation
Chevron

Additionally, thanks to the generosity of other business partners, our schools have special meals, celebrations and recognitions planned at the campus level to honor our outstanding educators.

For the district-level recognition, we need your help! We’re inviting families, students, colleagues, and community members to nominate the outstanding educators in their lives.

Here’s how:

Visit our Facebook page each day beginning Sunday
Nominate a teacher by telling us his/her name, school, and why he/she deserves to be celebrated
Nominate as many educators as you’d like

Nominations open each morning and close at 4 p.m. daily. Winners are announced the following day—and every nomination helps spread the encouragement our teachers genuinely deserve.

We have no shortage of incredible educators in Bay District Schools, and this is our chance to highlight their dedication, creativity, and care. Thank you for joining us in making this Teacher Appreciation Week one to remember.

Together, we’re putting the ‘A’ back in Bay—through Accountability, Attendance, Academics, Arts, and Athletics.