Booker High School principal, Dr. Rachel Shelley has been honored with Florida's 2017 Principal Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership, an award popularly known as Florida Principal of the Year. Shelley was one of three finalists in the running for the coveted honor. The awards recognize principals and assistant principals for their exceptional contributions nominated by the superintendent from their respective school districts. With more than 28 years of experience in kindergarten through 12th grade education, Shelley has been praised by her colleagues for her dedication to helping every student succeed and for her relationship–based leadership. She motivates students with her mantra: "every student is college and/or career bound." Shelley is a graduate of Sarasota County’s Riverview High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman College with a master’s degree in special education from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She was named principal of Booker High in 2011.“I am so grateful for this honor and I share it with the Booker Nation — our students, faculty and staff at Booker High School — and with my colleagues throughout the Sarasota County School District, as well as the community,” said Shelley. “This award reflects our focus on helping all our students succeed.”

Sarasota County Schools