Kari Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Fruitville Elementary School who described herself as the mom away from home was named the 2020-21 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year Thursday evening in a virtual ceremony hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
Johnson will go on to represent the district in the statewide competition in July.
“It s an honor to be a teacher, she said, highlighting that teaching is one career where succeeding means helping others succeed.
Fruitville Principal Steven French said, “I have used her as an example many times” when helping teachers with older students realize that they could raise their expectations. He said he would take other teachers into her classroom, where Johnson s warm demeanor and high expectations serve as a model for others.
Sarasota County names Sarasota Teacher of the Year finalists
Four educators were honored
Teachers in Sarasota County have had to reinvent their craft throughout the coronavirus pandemic, figuring out on the fly how to teach in unprecedented circumstances.
On Tuesday, four Sarasota County teachers were surprised when they were revealed as finalists for the district’s elementary, middle and high school Teacher of the Year honors.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County sponsors the Ignite Education: Teacher of the Year annual recognition in partnership with Sarasota County Schools.
This year’s finalists are:
Kari Johnson, kindergarten teacher, Fruitville Elementary School.
3 months ago Share The finalists teach at Fruitville Elementary, Sarasota Military Academy Prep, Alta Vista Elementary and Booker High School.
Four Sarasota County teachers were in for a surprise Tuesday as they were named top educators in the district.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County annually sponsors the Ignite Education: Teacher of the Year recognition, which names top teachers for elementary, middle and high school honors.
Administrators surprise Emily O’Brien Swope, a fourth and fifth grade ELA teacher at Alta Vista Elementary School. Photo courtesy
This year s finalists are:
Kari Johnson, kindergarten teacher, Fruitville Elementary School;
Samantha Miller, design teacher, Sarasota Military Academy Prep;