Tinker Elementary School

My 3 children have attended Tinker for 3 years. I absolutely love this school. The teachers and staff truely care about the children and the school has a stong parent community. I am a firm believer in it taking a community to raise a child and Tinker has that environment. We are a military family and my children love that the other kids understand why mom or dad might be gone. I have had one class where one of my children did not work well with the teacher and brought the issue to the principal and Ms. Tao quickly fixed the issue and my son was placed in a better class fit for his learning personality. He is in the gifted program and they constantly challenge the children. Teachers are open to parent involvement which is always a plus. There are tons of activities throughout the year for families put on by the school. My children also attend Host and the staff there are also wonderful. Mr. Kevin takes good care of them all.
--Submitted by a parent

Tinker is a wonderful school my son love it all his techears are great ( Miss Kain 1st grade, Miss Bussey 2nd and now Miss Miller 3rd... This is our last year here in this school and I have to say I'm gonna miss this school. They make u feel really welcome and the teachers really care about students... Definitely the best school so far
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have attended Tinker Elementary. My son for fourth and fifth grades and daughter for kindergarten through third grade. The teachers have been wonderful. In particular Mrs. Kain (first grade) and Mrs. Dunkel (fourth grade). They show genuine care and concern for the students. Mrs. Humenansky is the assistant principal and she is AMAZING! My daughter had a hard time when my son transferred to middle school. Mrs. Humenansky personally took responsibility for making my daughter feel comfortable during this difficult transition. In addition Mrs. Catts, the school counselor worked with my daughter to help her feel more independent and less afraid of being at school without her brother.
--Submitted by a parent

Absolute disappointment when it comes to school management. The school administration has proven itself inadequate and somewhat surprised at the sudden influx of new students this year - the classrooms are bursting at the seems and the teachers are unable to handle the full load, so to speak, with patience. The cafeteria is out of control! The staff at the cafeteria is absolutely incapable of handling the noise and have no proper training as to how to handle the younger children. The food that is served is NOT what the menu online shows. The younger children are offered a la cart items with a lot of junk food in the selection. The kids do not have time to finish their lunch - the lines are long and the cashiers would rather chat with each other than help the kids go faster. I am shocked at the fact that our kids have an average of 7-10 min. to eat and they end up throwing most of it in the trash because they can't finish it. We even know of children who ended up going hungry and throwing away their entire lunches because "the janitor came for the trays". My advise - send your lunch from home! Or - to avoid the problem with the junk food temptation send exact change daily
--Submitted by a parent

I do not know this school ranks. While I am a parent I have heard nothing from them about my children
--Submitted by a parent

Love the teachers and the after school program! Wonderful school! The kids love it and we love all of the activities that are available to them.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is a fair school. Although I feel it's greatest flaw is a total lack of organization, I do feel my children are safe. Seeing as how the school is located on the military base it is not accesible to the public. The teachers are pleased to be teaching in this school. We have 2 children currently enrolled. Our 2nd grader loves her male teacher our kindergartener is less thrilled with his female teacher but we are working on it. I will say the pick-up drop-off can be a little daunitng. Your best bet is always to park and retrieve your child by hand. Children are given a great deal of freedom to roam during school so I would reccomend a plan and course of action for issues that may occur in that area. All in all, a fair school. Not the most academic school but a safe environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. My son was here for kindergarten and 1is now in 1st grade. I love, love, love both teachers he had. Ms. G Bell and Ms. S Bell (yes they're related), are great teachers and my son loved them both. They are very approachable, and you can tell they genuinely care for their students. Though I've never had any personaly experience with the priniciple, she is tough, but she loves her students as well. I'll miss Tinker. The only reason my child won't be attending next year is because the school will be outside of my area. Thank you Tinker staff.
--Submitted by a parent

Staff continually puts a good show on but our children's education is paying for it!!
--Submitted by a parent

Tinker Elementary is a fantastic school located on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. My children have great memories of that little school!!! The teachers and staff are the best in Hillsborough county!
--Submitted by a parent