Superintendent Todd Bowden and Education Foundation of Sarasota County President Jennifer Vigne will announce the overall Sarasota County Teacher of the Year for 2018 from among three finalists at the annual awards ceremony honoring educators. This year’s event, titled Ignite Education, will be a brunch held from 10:30am-noon, Dec. 13, at The Westin Sarasota. The individual Teachers of the Year for each school also will be recognized at the event. The three finalists — one each for elementary, middle and high schools —are Bethany Burnett, Venice Elementary School fifth-grade teacher, as Elementary School Teacher of the Year; Allison Cohen, Booker Middle School sixth-grade math teacher, as Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Es Swihart, Riverview High School Pre-International Baccalaureate English teacher, as High School Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes educators in Sarasota County who exemplify dedication to student learning and innovative instruction. The program is co-produced by the Sarasota County School District and the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and is made possible through the funding and support of community partners. The district Teacher of the Year will receive a $2,500 cash award; the two runners-up will each receive $1,250. The Ignite Innovation Award will be announced along with the first Sarasota County Schools Alumni of Distinction.

Sarasota County Schools