More than a thousand teachers, bus drivers and secretaries from around the state packed an Orlando convention hall Friday to see Bill Clinton, who is on a two-day bus tour of Florida.

  • Bill Clinton speaks to educators' conference in Orlando
  • He's on a 2-day bus tour of Central and North Florida
  • Clinton is touting wife's plans for economy, college debt

The former president addressed the annual Florida Education Association conference.

The meeting hall at the Rosen Center on International Drive may have looked like a big party Friday, with videos on big screens and people dancing, but the FEA conference is also serious business for the organization, which sets policies, resolutions and priorities for the year.

"The meetings are interesting," said Jill Castellano, vice president of the Teachers Association of Lee County. "We're going over legislation, we're talking about budget. I absolutely love my career. I love working with kids. They change my life every day."

Castellano is a high school social studies teacher. This is her fifth or sixth conference where she's served as a delegate.

"I'm excited to see what Hillary's going to do," she said. "I'm glad they're coming out to speak to teachers because it shows they care and they want us to be involved in the process."

Just after 9:30 this morning, Clinton hit the stage to a cheering room.

"First, I came here to say thanks. Second, I asked you to help. Third, I'm here to say you're an important part of our future. We can't make it without you,"he said.

He addressed several issues sensitive to his audience, such as alleviating college debt, retraining people for jobs and rigorous testing.

"We are close to being able to rise together again, and I believe that having the right education and training policies, and college affordability policies are key to that," Clinton said.

Clinton also came to stump for his wife, sharing specific instances of when Hillary fought for education in the past. He regaled the audience with stories of Hillary lobbying for pre-K education, long before it was the norm, and working to get disabled children back into schools. 

The FEA has endorsed Hillary Clinton, just as the national teaching organizations did as well.

With less than three weeks until the general election, now is a crucial time not just for the candidates but also their surrogates, who also have been criss-crossing the country trying to fire up their base to get out and vote.

Jill Castellano hopes that whomever wins the Nov. 8 general election, that they focus on children and education.

"We have to give every child in the United States their best chance," she said. "And education is the only way to equalize the playing field."

After Friday's Orlando visit, Clinton is scheduled to hit Jacksonville, Panama City and Pensacola late Friday and Saturday.


Hundreds waved signs with Hillary Clinton's logo before Bill Clinton's speech Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at the Florida Education Association conference in Orlando. (Julie Gargotta, staff)