{"id":1426,"date":"2026-05-23T05:34:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T05:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=1426"},"modified":"2026-05-23T05:34:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T05:34:21","slug":"northeast-high-school-valedictorian-credits-third-grade-teacher-for-his-success-he-connected-with-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tampamovingjournal.com\/?p=1426","title":{"rendered":"Northeast High School valedictorian credits third grade teacher for his success: ‘He connected with us’"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.<\/strong> – <\/span>High school seniors are graduating all across the Bay Area. That includes the valedictorian at St. Petersburg\u2019s Northeast High School, Armando Garner.<\/p>

Read more St. Pete man arrested after 100 mph DUI crash injures 4, including 2 children: CPD<\/a><\/p>

The backstory:<\/p>

Garner had his pinning ceremony a few weeks ago when he was asked to invite someone who had a positive influence on his educational journey. He chose his third\u00a0grade teacher, Mr. David Huss. FOX 13 visited Mr. Huss to find out why.<\/p>

<\/div>

Fun and engagement<\/h2>

Music and laughter are part of the curriculum in Mr. Huss\u2019 third\u00a0grade class at Perkins Elementary School in St. Pete.<\/p>

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“Alright, this is a song about a red hooded sweatshirt, which is my absolute favorite,” Mr. Huss said.<\/p>

Huss uses his love of music to make learning fun and engaging. Singing silly songs to break up the day. Leaving the kids feeling light and eager to learn.<\/p>

It\u2019s a feeling that never left 17-year-old Armando Garner.<\/p>

What they’re saying:<\/p>

“He\u2019s the most memorable teacher that I had. Going to his class was fun. He connected with us students on more than just the schoolwork. He would talk to us about our hobbies, things that we like to do for fun,” Garner said.<\/p>

It\u2019s why after all these years, the valedictorian at Northeast High School is back at his elementary school \u2014 excited to visit his favorite teacher.<\/p>

Garner had Mr. Huss as his third and fifth\u00a0grade teacher. It was a stroke of luck, as Huss only transitioned to teaching fifth\u00a0grade for a few years before returning to third grade.<\/p>

Read more South Tampa affordable workforce housing project breaks ground near MacDill Airforce Base<\/a><\/p>

\n
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When Garner was asked to invite someone special to his valedictorian pinning ceremony, it was an easy choice.<\/p>

“He was the first person that came to my head. He was one of my elementary school teachers, so he built up the foundation for my schooling, and he was just one of my favorite overall teachers I\u2019ve ever had,” Garner said.<\/p>

Mr. Huss was beyond honored.<\/p>

“I\u2019ve always been proud of Armando, but you know to be valedictorian is the biggest honor academically. I\u2019ve never that I know of taught a student before out of 15 years of teaching who\u2019s been valedictorian, so it\u2019s a really cool honor for me, but for Armando especially, he\u2019s the one who earned it,” Huss said.<\/p>

Garner got to hang out with his favorite teacher again, even getting thrown a pop quiz from Mr. Huss.<\/p>

Confidence and positive reinforcement<\/h2>

Big picture view:<\/p>

Huss really has mastered the art of teaching. Through positive reinforcement, encouragement and good ol\u2019 fashioned fun, students leave his class excited about their futures.<\/p>

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And when a teacher gives you that much confidence, they start believing they can do and be anything. Sometimes, those students become valedictorians.<\/p>

What you can do:<\/p>

If you have a teacher or coach you\u2019d like to nominate, email Allie Corey at allie.corey@fox.com.<\/p>

Read more TECO Manatee Viewing Center and St. Pete Pier compete in USA Today\u2019s best free attraction contest<\/a><\/p> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

High school seniors are graduating all across the Bay Area. 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