Timothy Robert Brightbill picture
“Timothy Robert Brightbill, of Spring Hill, was charged with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The mother of the teen arrived home about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and saw Brightbill, wearing only his underwear, lying on top of her daughter, according to a criminal arrest affidavit.” [Link]
Mr. Brightbill destroyed my child’s life at Southside Fundamental. My child had staight A’s and B’s and was expelled for striking the drum off beat. My child was in 7th grade; not a muscian but decided to take this introductory course in music, as most middle school children do. I was astonded that my child was expelled from this Fundamental school for not striking the drum on time. I went in front of the School Board in Largo, only to be told that my child will be expelled for this reason and that Mr. Brightbill was inocent. Mr. Brightbill was a rude individual, selfish and was too vein to appreciate and pass on the learning process these children in their formative pre-teen years. I hoped he quit teaching and thought he did until now????? Why would another school district hire this wacho? Mr. Brightbill was only out for himself and his selfish yearnings….not even the Pinellas County School System understood the harm he did to these young girls and boys. To this day, my child is suffering because of Brightbill’s cold and selfish beliefs and practices. I am looking forward to appealing this case. Eventhough this was 12 years ago…sometimes just a little bump in a child’s life could change their future forever and BELIEVE ME, Mr. Brightbill changed my child’s future and he will pay for it.
I certainly was devastated to read what Mr. Brightbill did. However, the previous post is very misleading. You cannot be “expelled” for not striking the drum on beat from any Fundamental School. No teacher can get a student expelled for such a reason. There is an involved process, much more public and strict for NOT expelling students which I was part of as a parent when my kids were there. Mr. Brightbill was a fantastic teacher, always professional, always had high standards but the kids respected him and loved him. I cannot condone what he has apparently done but he was NOT a part of any rumor or speculation of sexual misconduct while he was there. Students who were disruptive probably could get tired of all the pressure to conform that comes in a Fundamental School and they need to go to a regular one. All the teachers in the Fundamental School could be considered strict because the parents go there, as a choice school, for that structure and discipline. However, as I said, I am greatly saddened to hear what he has done and what he has thrown away…his lovely family and a career in music that was stellar in the system in Pinellas county. He was egotistical, demanding, and exacting…but he was also a good music teacher, certainly not a whacko. Of course now he has broken the hearts of his wife and daughter….and the many, many students who believed in him and thought he was not capable of such a thing. How sad.
I attended Southside Fundamental for 3 years, as did my younger brother and sister. All 3 of us had Mr Brightbill for at least 1 class everyday for all 3 years. This is an amazing educator and a very kind and respectable man, aside from what is going on at present. I feel very sad for the circumstances he has gotten himself into and I imagine that there is more to the story then we as the media audience has priveledge to. I think it is important to remember that people make bad decisions, some worse than others, and while unfortunate in some cases, we have to like with the consequences of those actions. I hope that this will not be too devastating a blow to his career and his life can smoothly trasition over this bump. I believe that it is important to remember that this is not a monster living among us, but rather a normal man who has made a mistake that no-matter his punnishment, this will change his life forever. Best of luck to Mr Brightbill and my thoughts to his family.
I had Mr. Brightbill for two years of band class when he taught at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School, and I can also say with absolute certainty that he was an excellent educator, and it’s a shame that he has put himself in a situation such as this one. He was very professional and pushed his students to want to improve and strive for the best in their academic careers.
I’m sure he regrets the decisions he has made, and we, as people should remember that he is as normal as anyon else and he just made some horrible mistakes. The pain, regret, and embarrassment he must be feeling is far worse than any criticism or public scrutiny he will hear. Think of how his feels, and try and empathize with his situation.
I wish the best to Mr. Brightbill as well as his family.
i had this nut-job teacher last year for my freshman year and i also did marching band.he is a total ass-hole and told me i wasn’t any good at clarinet and that i should just quit after 4 years…i think not. but this year when i found out i had him for band, the first thing i did was go straight to the guidance counselor and asked to be swithed out of his class because he is not fit to be a teacher. let alone around students.he is so selfish and stuk up andddd cocky!!! he claims he is god anddd the best thing that ever happened to our school. BULLSHIT!!! our shool has always been great. i hope he rots in the hell-hole.slammer w.e. but all i know is how ever he was 10 years ago when he was teaching your old asses. he is not the same amazing man you thought he was. he is a total JERK!
I had Mr. Brightbill as my band teacher for 3 years and Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School. He is an excellent teacher, he was certainly my favorite also, he was entartaining, funny, yet pushing and understanding. When I heard this incident, I was in shock.. It’s shocking but everyone makes mistakes, and this messed one with the law. I hope Mr. Brightbill gets out of this whole mess and receives a new beginning, I am sure he won’t mess up again. I wish him all the best!
I had Mr. Brightbill as my band teacher 6th grade at Pinellas Park Middle. He was a very good teacher as well as a good person. He was entertaining and knew how to talk to us. He could talk as if he were one of us, but still maintain a professional persona. It’s unfortunate the mess he got himself into and I can’t believe something like this happened, I was in disbelief when I heard about it. I wish him the best.
He was a good band teacher when I was in middle school.
My theory? Mid-life crises.
He should have tried college or elementary school.
I had him as a teacher in Middle School for Band. He wasn’t that bad of a teacher, but something was definitely wrong with him. Nothing really something to stay away from, but background-mentally I’d suppose. It’s really not a surprise, but I never thought it would be him out of all people.