The Sarasota County School District has been recognized widely as one of the best in the state, and much of the credit goes to Superintendent of Schools Lori White. The former special education instructor has led the district since 2008, but she was quick to credit students’ success in the system for creating a solid reputation for the schools. “It is the students who have touched me throughout my career,” she says. “I’ve been inspired by so many of them as individuals.” What else inspires White? Apparently killing orcs.

Family nights.

I am lucky enough to have both of my now-adult children, Kelly Robbins and Kevin White, living here and two grandchildren that I get to see on a regular basis. My father Don Wilson is still alive and living here. We gather every Sunday at his house, every Friday night and have popcorn, watch football and talk with each other. And I get to spend many Friday nights with my sister and her family. We have a tradition of jigsaw puzzles. I'm lucky enough to have family near so that we can enjoy each other’s company.

First Congregational United Church of Christ.

It’s the church I grew up in. I grew up in Sarasota and my children went to that church. I was baptized and married in that church. It’s been a long tradition. I have been active in the choir and help with the children's choir. That’s a big part of my life.

MMORPGs.

I tend to play the big massive multiplayer online games. I played EverQuest and World of Warcraft. Now

I am playing Rift. As they come and go, I move onto the current one. I'm not necessarily very good at it, but I enjoy the questing. I have two characters. One is a cleric and one is a mage. I enjoy escaping into a whole different world.

Academic books.

Most books I read are about education. Carol Tomlinson has written a great deal on different structures for classrooms. Doug Fischer has so many great lesson designs. Just throughout my professional life, I have read many experts in the field. I try and gather all the knowledge available.

Snorkeling.

My husband and I have always loved the Gulf. We had many vacations down in the Florida Keys where he was fishing. I love snorkeling. I am attracted to this environment and the many things you can see. It's a different world. You become immersed, and you become a part of the environment even though you are just viewing it. It's an incredible, beautiful experience.

Special education.

I've known my entire life I wanted to be a teacher. I had some incredible teachers show me a craft I so respected. When I was younger I saw an ad on TV explaining that schools were trying to find more teachers to go into special education. Even as a junior in high school, I knew that was the type of teacher I wanted to be. I joined the program at Florida State University when it was new. For me, it's just figuring out that every child has a key. There is a way to find their strengths and build on them. I have a

passion for finding the key to unlock every child's potential.

Science fiction.

I like Star Trek over Star Wars. It has fewer battles and more interesting stories. But I just enjoy different science fiction. No cheap horror flicks; I prefer movies like Alien and Aliens. I enjoyed Ender’s Game and read the book.

Eloise Malinski.

I had incredible teachers. I was in the first graduating class of Pine View, and Eloise Malinski was

a chemistry teacher. She was a soft-spoken woman who had a gift for making the complex easily accessible. She was always there to encourage and think more deeply. Now she is retired but still lives here.

C/SPA award.

The Community Schools Partnership for the Arts in 2008 presented me a beautiful painting by a student. It's special to me because it’s a student’s artwork created just for me. That connection to the students has always been important in my professional life.

Mother’s recipes.

My mother passed away and there are still things that remind me of her—a recipe or a tradition. She made poppyseed bread that I don’t do justice, but I still have the recipe. She was a great cook.

I think about her and how she inspired me to pursue whatever my dream was, to love family and support them.

Nancy Rothel.

Another teacher who inspired me. She had an ability to help you go beyond the superficial in understanding literature and bringing in aspects beyond the story itself. She was great at bringing in the arts and was a gifted teacher.

Classical music.

I grew up playing piano and violin and that has allowed me to have an appreciation of classical music. It’s always been important to me and I have always felt it was important to support. The Florida Music Educators Association named me superintendent of the year in 2012. My favorite composer is Rachmaninoff—the little bit I was actually able to play.