Clearwater, Florida
Klase emphasized the importance of education to seven classrooms of children at Woodlawn Elementary. With her handcuffs and some other work props in hand, she spoke about her second job as a bail bondsman at Action Plus Bail Bonds in Clearwater for about 30 minutes in each class.
“Some of the kids are familiar with what I do because I’ve done the teach-in for several years,” she said, adding other students knew about bondsmen because their families have utilized their services. She explained how the process of getting or authorizing a bail bond works.
Klase explained to the children that, much like many jobs and careers, being a bail bondsman requires education and training: four three-day weekend courses at Hillsborough Community College or Miami-Dade, as well as taking an online course through the University of Florida. Upon completion of the classes, a one-year internship must be completed and a state test must be passed before the State of Florida will deem you a licensed bail bondsman. This certification also requires the completion of additional continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.
“I tell them it’s extremely important – even to do this job, they have to stay in school,” she said.
