Tinker Elementary School

Posted: July 8, 2020

There’s good and bad teachers. Some of them are outstanding and some are miserable.

Posted: July 8, 2020

Several children we know experienced social distress at this school. The environment and tensions from the base community spill over into the school and very little is done to mitigate the issues.

Posted: July 8, 2020

We experienced a disorganized and argumentative office when it came to transferring gifted education rights when enrolling, checking our sick child out of school, and picking up records when it came time to PCS. There is a gross overreach in the office. We had to reach out to the previous school to get their records.

Posted: July 8, 2020

If your child has special needs or needs extensive help, you will be sent off base to a community school. Some IEPs are honored and some are not. There is no full day ESE services which is odd given that MacDill is an EFMP expedited base and there are many many families with special needs at MacDill.

Posted: July 8, 2020

There was a “hit list” made last year and the response was lackluster to say the least. While my child did not experience bullying, they often witnessed it. Bullying was rarely addressed directly.

Posted: July 8, 2020

Very poor. We expected so much more from the school being on base. There are very limited extra curriculars, gifted services are practically nonexistent, the middle school classes are in modular buildings, the advanced classes are extremely limited. There is much better environment and community in the local schools. I would not live on base for the sole purpose of going to this school. The ROI does not equate. My children were doing well before we live there, struggled while we were there, and thrived again after leaving. Their test scores were the only thing that stayed on par (mastery levels in all subjects). My children are honor roll, advanced, good citizen type students. I cannot imagine how a child with special needs or behavioral issues would function at this school.

Posted: July 8, 2020

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Posted: March 25, 2018

I’ve watched my children do great in schools from multiple states, to coming here to Tinker, with every paper coming home with bad grades on them. I’m beyond stressed out with this school. The teachers are not teaching! They are throwing a bunch of homework at these kids, the questions on tests are so unrealistic for the grade my kids are in. I want to pull my children out of this school just to save their last bit of pride that they have left. I’ve never been so stressed in my life dealing with a school.

Posted: November 4, 2017

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My son has been at Tinker since kindergarten and he is now in 8th grade. It is a wonderful and caring school. He has special needs and his needs have always been met.

Posted: June 2, 2016

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Posted: June 2, 2016

My daughter attended school in two years ago when we were stationed at MacDill. She was in first grade. Her teachers were very nice and doing the best they could given that the school decided to follow the state into common core. I watched my little girl go from enjoying reading and learning to hating it. They assigned a lot of homework, took to many unnecessary tests and were learning things not appropriate for her grade level. Military schools have always been some of the best but since converting away from Department of Defense education (similar to what is overseas) I have seen our students go down hill. Military parents should really consider trying to find private education or homeschool.

Posted: August 4, 2015

Posted: August 4, 2015

We are from Italy and my daughter attended the 5th grade. It was an outstanding experience for her and for us. Great staff and very professional teachers. This school is how should be a perfect school....you cannot ask more. Thanks Tinker!

Posted: June 24, 2014

This school has a lot of room for improvement. I have seen the administrator treat teachers really kind and the next minute she is disciplining them in public or talking to others about a teacher that has made her made. My two children love their teachers and have done really well in 2nd and 4th grade. The office staff really takes this school to an all time low with their rudeness and breach of confidentiality. When administration learns confidentiality and does not stand and discuss student and staff issues in ear shot of parents maybe I could score them higher. Glad to know my husband received orders and we are moving on. Wish future students and parents the best.

Posted: June 19, 2014

My daughter attended her first 3 years here at Tinker. Overall, I feel it is a good little school. We lived on base and having her be able to walk or ride her bike to or from was great. I have to say this past year was trying due to her second grade teachers. They both seemed tired or jaded from day one of class. The first part of the year I did not feel there was adequate communication with the teachers but being persistent with them paid off some. I agree with the previous reviews about the Art teacher. I never knee how the front office staff would be from week to week if I needed to call or speak with them. Overall, the school seemed to get a little worse as each year went by with teachers and administration. But we will take the good memories and move on.

Posted: February 14, 2014

Tinker is an amazing school with wonderful staff and administration. I love that my children are happy and when there is an issue they contact me right away to keep me informed. I do feel the school has one staff member that is a poor representation of the school and I hope the administration will make a change very soon. The art teacher is very rude and my children really dislike attending her class. I have also found in the morning she is very rude with parents and children. It is not her business if a child is wearing a hat or if they are in shorts or pants. My children hate to wear pants and I feel I am their parent and I can dress them myself. She also she greet the children with respect and not start their day on a negative note. When they make her leave our wonderful school I will be able to rate the school a 5. I hope to see this happen in the near future. I am thankful that the rest of the staff are loving and caring people. Thank you for a wonderful school!

Posted: January 24, 2014

The school is convenient, safe and nurturing. Tinker teachers have a great respect for the lives that these military kids lead; they are accommodating and understanding. My daughter has attended Tinker for 2 years, her love for learning has only been nurtured. Her teachers have made learning enjoyable. Ms. Slagal & Mrs. Quinn are OUTSTANDING teachers with big hearts and a love of teaching that shines through their student's success. Mrs. Mendenhall has been a blessing as well, firm but caring. She is trying to set the kids up for long term learning success, not just test mastery. The administration are great role models and very involved with the students' day to day activities. If other parents are upset with their child's progress, make an effort to get involved in the school - the SAC and PTO are always in need of parents with positive attitudes and ideas. One of my "issues" with Tinker is the Art teacher -- VERY disappointed. Last year I only received ONE piece of artwork from school! FL is a common core state, which I'm not particularly fond of, but I do feel as though my daughter is getting a good foundation for her education at Tinker.

Posted: August 20, 2013

There were some great and wonderful teachers there. The principal at the time was horrible and seemed to only worry about the grade of the school than the students. My daughter was special needs and it was difficult to get any help for her

Posted: June 12, 2013

We moved on base during the summer of 2012, and decided we would give Tinker a try. We had children in 1st and 4th. After two weeks of school, we began to question our decision. We told ourselves that we needed to give it more time, it would probably improve. The teachers were kind. Four weeks of school and we decided to pull them out after the fifth week. Our final decision was based mainly on curriculum. We knew there were better choices since we had homeschooled in the past for several years. (the previous year, they had been in a good public school though) So 5 weeks and we were done. We also had an issue with a lack of communication with one of my son's teachers. He has special needs and I do think she meant well. But we should have been notified more quickly. We like to be involved and know what's going on. Not find out about something a week or two later. Apparently Tinker had been making a lot of changes. They let teachers go after only a few weeks of school,which increased class sizes. Another thing to consider is the facility. It needs updating. Also, my kids were eating lunch as early as 9:30 and 10 on Mon. 10 and 10:30 the rest of the week.Wish I had more room to write!

Posted: April 10, 2013

This school may be conviently located but trust me it is a poor choice of a school. If you aren't an officer and if your child isn't the brightest in the class, they WILL be left behind. Teachers and staff are very gossipy and the demenor of the school is that of a snotty South Tampa private school.

Posted: January 18, 2013

I currently have 2 children at Tinker (2nd & K). This is our 1st year at the school. However, we transferred in from another school (10 rated) in the district. We have been very happy with the administration, staff and teachers. I feel everyone has gone out of his or her way to make the transition as smooth as possible. I find everyone to be very responsive and helpful. My children are having a great time learning. The school isn't as test crazy as the previous school my children attended but I find it makes for a better learning environment. For my kids to spend time learning the FL test is just a waste of time b/c they will be in another state or Country next year. I like that the teachers teach the fundamentals instead of "teaching the test". Best part about the school is they get the very unique lifestyle that military brats live so they understand the needs and constraints that come along with moving frequently and deployments. The school isn't perfect and there is always room for improvement but I would absolutely recommend Tinker to my friends and family.

Posted: December 2, 2012

My children have both gone to Tinker. My son from 3rd to 5th and my daughter since kinder and she is now in 5th grade. I will say this last year there has been a nightmare. They have had so many changes in the front office and teachers that it has really gone downhill. My child's teacher is not understanding of anything and feels that it is necessary to make my child feel unworthy. I worked at Tinker the first 3 years they were there so I know first hand how bad it has gotten. The numbers drastically decreased this year as well because parents have noticed this as well.

Posted: September 17, 2012

Parents Beware, if you child is too busy they will be labeled and thrown to the side!!! If your child is self sufficient and a A student then your child will be fine at Tinker. My child was a student at Tinker from 1st grade through 5th. Although Tinker passed my child year after year and now he is so far behind that he is repeating the 5th grade. Every year I grew increasingly frustrated, asking for help, bringing him to outside tutors as well as Tinker's sad excuse for extra help (ELP). The school does not welcome involved parents, in fact I had volunteered on several occasions to help out and never received calls back. The school doesn't even support parents having lunch with their children anymore. They should fire about 90% of their staff and start with teachers that really want to be there. Thank goodness the principal retired, but the assistant principal is just as bad if not worse and WOW she is sneaky!!! Hopefully the new principal will clean house!!! I am so glad to finally have my child at a school where the teachers and staff really care about education and not just the FCAT.

Posted: July 29, 2012

This school is desperately trying to hide its failures and pull itself out of a B rating back to a A rating. They are trying to raise the percentage of rotating children in efforts of hiding their staff's deficiencies since this is easier then rotating stale staff and leadership. Even the base commander has joined this selfish cause. Their latest framework ensures this by not allowing children even siblings of children who already attend Tinker to be enrolled from households not within MacDill s perimeter. Over the last decade this was not the case, until the newly arrived leadership changed the rules. Previously children from MacDill's workforce would be allowed to attend even if they resided off base. When the percentage of children in Tinker changed from a rotational majority (leaving every 2 to 3 years) to a non-rotational majority (not leaving due to military orders every 2 to 4 years) the schools ranking fell to a B . As you can guess when the decade of A ratings fell to a B rating the new principal and base commander joined forces in changing the enrollment framework to raise rotational majority.It is easier to change children then failed staff.

Posted: July 28, 2012

Average academics, but the children are safe. Front office staff may be a little overzealous in enforcing rules, and it may come across as parents aren't welcome. The new principal lived the military life and really understands what our children go through. I love how she thanks the parents for allowing them to serve the children of those who serve! She was put in the tough position of enforcing the rules after the previous principal gave everyone special favors and enrollment got out of hand. Parent involvement is shamefully low since most live off base and commute (see favors above). Tinker will be a great school in a couple of years!

Posted: July 9, 2012

I love this school and so does my son. Mrs. Bussey has been our favorite teacher. She loves her kids and her way of teaching is great. This year we had Mrs. Gatton and I still don't know what really make of way she grades them. Overall my son had a great report. Card and his fcat scores were great. The only downfall is I don't like the new principal. I do not feel she really understands military lifestyles and how it effects the kids like our last principal

Posted: December 11, 2011

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.

Posted: August 30, 2011

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

Posted: August 17, 2011

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.

Posted: May 18, 2011

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

Posted: January 5, 2011

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

Posted: November 11, 2010

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.

Posted: October 26, 2010

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.

Posted: May 17, 2010

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.

Posted: May 1, 2010

Posted: April 26, 2010

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

Posted: April 21, 2010

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!

Posted: April 18, 2010

My daughter started at Tinker about 2 monts ago. So far, I really like her teacher's methods of teaching, which is what counts. I can still tell you that I don't care with the people at the front office. I agree with a lot of previous reviews, they are rude, are not professional and seems like they do not care abou who is standing in front of them. I have met the principal on several occasion and so fat, I think she is great. So that's it...I just have a bad thing to say about the admin.

Posted: March 20, 2010

This school is the best that has happen to my son! I have found the principal to be supportive w/responsible parents and matters under her control. My son teachers are and have been responsive to the needs of the student and as a result my son has moved up the grades with no problem. Today, my son (eventhough he is in lower grade) he is reading and doing math work at the fifth grade level and he is very motivated. His disposition is the reflection of the school's environment and the high quality of teachers the schools has on-hand. The fact this school is inside of a military base gives me the peace of mind I could not get in any other school. The only observation I have is for the office staff to be more customer oriented and stay away from gestures to improve their bad repution. A parent

Posted: March 20, 2010

This is an outstanding school to send your children to. This is a school of choice. Those parents who are complaining need to do us all a favor and find a new school! The principal is a great person. Very professional and supportive. She is very friendly and goes out of her way to know each parent in the school. The administrative team at Tinker needs to do some work that reflects the principal's leadership and caring attitude...

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