EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. — When Paul Tribble graduated from the University of Florida nearly a half-century ago, he prayed for a door to open in the field of education. He did not expect that door to be in Everglades City.
“Where is Everglades City?”, Tribble recalled thinking after getting a teaching job offer. “I had never even heard of Everglades City.”
48 years later, Paul continues to teach at the tiny school that gave him that opportunity. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
“He’s taught the grandparents of some of our kids and everybody in between,” Dr. Cheryl Allison, the school’s principal, said.
Everglades City School is the smallest public school in Collier County. The enrollment currently is just 148 students from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Mr. Tribble is one of many teachers who commute from Naples and beyond to get to work each day.
“So you really want to be here if you go that far,” Dr. Allison said of her staff.
The commitment of teachers and staff is a point of pride for the school, which is a tight-knit community. That’s one of the many reasons Mr. Tribble has stayed at Everglades City.
“No regrets,” Tribble said. “Just thankful.”
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