Youth Programs
Great American Teach In
What and when is the Great American Teach-In?
Members of the community are invited into K-12 schools to share information with students about their career, lead an activity, read a story, or teach a lesson. This year, the Great American Teach-In is observed on November 15th in Pinellas and Pasco County Schools, and November 16th in Hillsborough and Sarasota County Schools.
The Great American Teach-In (GATI) offers USF employees a unique opportunity to connect with local schools and share their knowledge, experiences, and passion for education. Building on the resounding success of last year's inaugural coordinated effort, where over 100 USF faculty and staff members generously volunteered their time, our university's employees visited more than 30 schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, reaching over 2,000 local students. As we continue this tradition of community engagement, we are excited to offer you the chance to make a significant impact on students' lives with just one hour of your time. Our goals for this event include:
- Inspiring students to pursue higher education.
- Raising awareness about the opportunities available at USF.
- Strengthening community ties and encouraging active engagement.
Participating Districts: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Pasco
USF EMPLOYEES
- Sign Up: USF employees who wish to participate can sign up by Friday October 6th, 2023, via the USF Employees GATI Interest Survey (If your college or department is already participating, please take a moment to complete the survey. Your input helps us capture the full extent of USF's involvement).
- Share Your Expertise: Fill out the survey to share your expertise, availability, and preferences.
- Matching Process: Our team will match you with a school based on your profile and preferences.
- Confirmation: You will receive an email by Monday, November 6th, 2023, confirming your match and providing details about the school and event.
Do I need to get permission to participate?
USF employees should confer with their supervisors before registering to ensure it does not conflict with work-related priorities. Supervisors with questions can contact the Employee Relations team in Central HR.
If I take photos during event, how can I share them with USF to use?
USF employees speaking to K-12 students in schools should inquire with the school or teacher about the procedure for taking photos to ensure compliance with the school's photo/video policies.
You can upload your photos using this form. Participants can also tag @usouthflorida and @usfyxp in any photos shared on social media to make it easy for USF’s team to track posts related to the Great American Teach-In.
K-12 EDUCATORS
- Sign Up: Interested K-12 educators in the participating districts can sign up by Friday, October 6th, 2023, to request a USF presenter via the K-12 Educator GATI Interest Survey.
- Select Your Preferences: Provide details about your school's needs and preferences in the survey to help us match you with the right USF presenter.
- Confirmation: Once matched, you will receive a confirmation email by Monday, November 6th, 2023, with details about your USF presenter.
USF BRANDED MATERIALS
Incorporating USF Branded Material into your Great American Teach-In visit can enhance your presentation's impact by leaving a lasting impression and strengthening the connection between your message and USF. Sharing these materials, such as brochures, pens, and promotional items, equips students with valuable resources to explore the university and its opportunities.
How to Get USF Branded Material
If you are a USF employee participating in the event and need USF-branded materials, along with the intention to distribute them during your presentation, we are delighted to assist in arranging your pickup. Please don't hesitate to reach out to our office via the provided link to start the conversation.
Donating USF Branded Material
If you have USF branded materials you'd like to donate for the Great American Teach-In, please use the link below to reach our office. Your donation will enhance the event and create a lasting impact on the students. Thank you for your support!
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, October 6th, 2023
Sign-up Deadline for the Great American Teach-In: Open to K-12 educators.
Monday, November 6th, 2023
USF employees and K-12 educators will receive email notifications about their matches, and it will be a shared responsibility for both parties to ensure a seamless experience at the Great American Teach-In.
Wednesday, November 15th, 2023
The Great American Teach-In for Pinellas and Pasco County - USF employees head to their respective school locations to present to the students.
Thurday, November 16th, 2023
The Great American Teach-In for Hillsborough and Sarasota County - USF employees head to their respective school locations to present to the students.
Contact Us
For questions and inquiries, please contact the Office of Youth Experiences. Thank you for your commitment to making a difference in our local schools and communities through the Great American Teach-In.
