Tampa, Florida - Hundreds of principals from K-8 are meeting in Tampa this weekend for the National Association of Elementary School Principals' Annual Convention and Exposition at the Tampa Convention Center.
But before diving into three days of professional development, networking and learning from the nation's top education experts, more than 100 principals stopped to give back to a local school. Principals from around the country swap the paperwork for yardwork to dig, mulch and plant an outdoor classroom for students at BT Washington Elementary.
"I love it. It's a dream come true for me here at BT Washington," says Toynita Martinez, the school's principal. "It's my vision that we would see kids outdoors reading on a brisk fall or spring day, and a teacher having a lesson with her students seated around her."
While the outdoor classroom is a dream, BT Washington's principal says what Governor Rick Scott is doing to Florida public schools is a nightmare.
"Right now he'd be an 'F' with me," says Martinez. She adds, "He's supporting charter schools rather than traditional public schools. That's taking money away from us."
What do out of state principals think about Scott?
Diane Cargile, principal from Rio Grande Elementary in Indiana says, "He's had an impact, some good some negative. In Indiana we're adopting one of the things you have, grading schools."
Oregon principal Barbara Chester and Indiana principal Diane Cargile say Florida's new law tying teacher evaluations to student test scores and eliminating teacher tenure goes too far.
Cargile, the principal at Cherry Park Elementary in Oregon, says, "Good principals do what they always do, keep good documentation, and you get rid of individuals who are not making a difference with children."
Chester adds, "Tying a single test score to someone's job when the test scores created on variables can be difficult situation."
"Elderly teachers might be some of the most innovative teachers. Just because they have seniority does not necessarily mean they are incompetent," says Cargile.
Like Florida, other states are going through similar budget crisises. Principals hope their state leaders remember what's important.
"I think many states are looking at education. That's our most precious resource," says Cargile.
Chester adds, "For me, the right path is to make sure education is a priority. I know budget cuts are difficult, but education should be the number one priority in every state."