Tampa teacher prepares students for life after middle school

Stacey Loesky, the AVID teacher at Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy Middle Magnet School, focuses on equipping students with essential skills for high school, college, and future careers.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:00pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of middle school students working together in a classroom, with soft, warm pools of light and color creating a sense of intimacy and connection.A teacher's guiding hand helps prepare middle schoolers for the next chapter of their educational journeys.Today in Tampa

Stacey Loesky has been teaching for nearly 20 years, with the last 15 spent at Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy Middle Magnet School in Tampa, Florida. As the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher, Loesky's focus is on preparing her students for the next stage of their educational and professional journeys, whether that's high school, college, or the workforce.

Why it matters

Loesky's approach to teaching AVID emphasizes developing critical skills like writing, inquiry, collaboration, and organization - abilities that are essential for students' long-term success. By equipping her middle schoolers with these tools, Loesky is helping to set them up for a smooth transition to high school and beyond.

The details

Loesky's AVID class covers a range of topics, from writing and inquiry to collaboration and organization. She believes these skills will benefit her students regardless of their post-middle school plans, whether that's pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or joining the military.

  • Loesky has been teaching for almost 20 years.
  • She has been at Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy Middle Magnet School since 2011.

The players

Stacey Loesky

The AVID teacher at Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy Middle Magnet School in Tampa, Florida, who has been teaching for nearly 20 years.

Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy Middle Magnet School

The middle school where Loesky has taught the AVID course since 2011.

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What they’re saying

“We do writing, we do a lot of inquiry, asking a bunch of questions, collaborating because it is important to learn to work together with people, being organized.”

— Stacey Loesky, AVID Teacher

“When you see that growth, you know they're going to be so successful when they go to that next level in high school, and they leave us and we hope that they do well.”

— Stacey Loesky, AVID Teacher

“You can tell she really loves being there for the students and she grows really good personal connections with all of her students.”

— Lillian Scala, Student

“I love it and I wouldn't change it. And I may never become a millionaire doing this, but the lives that I touch and have touched over the course of my career, [that] is so much more valuable to me than anything else.”

— Stacey Loesky, AVID Teacher

What’s next

As Loesky's eighth-grade students prepare to graduate and move on to high school, she will continue to stay in touch with them, offering guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition.

The takeaway

Stacey Loesky's dedication to her students and her passion for preparing them for life beyond middle school is a testament to the transformative power of education. By equipping her students with essential skills, she is setting them up for long-term success, regardless of their future paths.