Photo courtesy Education Foundation: Education Foundation CEO Vigne and Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor at opening ceremony..

The Education Foundation this past Sunday hosted its first Ringling Bridge 5K/10K Run and Well-Being Expo. The event brought together over 1,200 race participants and many others. While people were drawn to this event for many reasons, we are so glad that they joined us to support students and teachers in Sarasota County Schools.  

As we know, championing students and teachers doesn’t just happen at a one-time event. It happens throughout the year, in so many ways. It’s the daily interactions, both big and small, and it’s the way in which we demonstrate value, support, access, and opportunity to students and teachers.  

Lasting change isn’t forged overnight, and championing students and teachers requires a steady, thoughtful, unified, responsive approach that accounts for an increasingly uncertain world and for the unexpected challenges that inevitably arise.  

This year, for instance, the late rollout of the revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has created uncertainty in the lives of many low-income students. While so many students are graduating with plans, ready to start their next adventure, others will leave high school adrift, uncertain about their future. These students still need support lest they fall through the cracks. 

At the same time, we know that great teachers are essential to a thriving community. It is vital that we elevate the value of teachers and the respect the community has for their remarkable work in and outside of their classrooms. Exceptional teachers, after all, are key in developing the next generation of leaders. 

Teacher Appreciation Week begins on Monday. All week, the Education Foundation will celebrate teachers who inspire their students to dream big and actively pursue those dreams. We will provide recognition and rewards through a daily chance drawing. Each day throughout the week, teachers will be winning gifts of all shapes and sizes, which will validate their contribution and symbolize the support of an entire community. 

If you or your business would like to provide gifts or prizes to local teachers, please contact our Events and Volunteer Manager Kayla Bailey as soon as possible at kbailey@edfoundationsrq.edu.  

Gifts and recognition can uplift teachers and validate their challenging work. Equally if not more important are kind words, notes, and hugs—which are free! I hope you will take time this week, however you’re comfortable, to celebrate teachers and make them feel valued.  

The sustained support and recognition a community gives to students and teachers will carry us further and ensure Sarasota County remains the vibrant, thriving place that it is today. The Education Foundation is honored to be part of it.  

We are honored to host a race across the iconic Ringling Bridge, a well-being expo, a teacher recognition campaign, and others because these events, while finite, ripple outward. They generate awareness and interest, which leads to action, and action ensures that students and teachers, no matter their experience, can find the relationships and resources that will help them succeed.  

Jennifer Vigne is president and CEO of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

Photo courtesy Education Foundation: Education Foundation CEO Vigne and Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor at opening ceremony..