Sarasota County 2020 Teacher of the Year Announced

Heather Young, a 22-year veteran teacher in her first year of teaching visual arts at Venice Elementary School, was named the 2020 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year at the Dec. 11 Ignite Education celebration hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County (EFSC).

  The announcement was made by former Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart to a crowd of 300 guests. Stewart, who was introduced by EFSC President Jennifer Vigne, thanked all Teacher of the Year nominees for the work they do inspiring students every day.

  Young will represent district educators at events throughout the 2020 calendar year and will serve as the district’s nominee for state Teacher of the Year. Her fellow finalists, Marissa Dobbert of Sarasota Military Academy Prep School, and Josh Grant of Venice High School, also were honored onstage at the annual awards ceremony, and 43 Teacher of the Year designees representing local schools were recognized.

  Young taught gifted students in elementary through middle school in her first 21 years as an educator in Sarasota County Schools. In her first year teaching visual arts to grades kindergarten through five, Young said she views her art room as a great venue for teaching problem-solving and a level playing field for all students, whether they are gifted or intellectually disabled.

  “Art is where you can succeed no matter where you are in other classes,” Young said.

 Young graduated from Venice High School after spending all of her school years in Sarasota County Schools. After earning a bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Florida, she completed post-baccalaureate work in gifted and leadership education at the University of South Florida.

  Young returned to Sarasota County to teach, believing there is no finer school system in the country. She has earned the Florida Best and Brightest Award for consecutive years since 2015.

  Known for her leadership skills in training and encouraging fellow teachers and mentoring college interns, Young also is a strong student advocate and recognized for connecting with students. 

  “You show up every day, set high expectations, support them, and don’t ever give up on them even if they want to give up on themselves,” Young said.

  The Education Foundation presented Young with a $2,500 cash award and Dobbert and Grant with cash awards of $1,250 each. Sunset Automotive Group sponsored the cash awards.

  Paul Burns, deputy chancellor with the Florida Department of Education and former principal of Riverview High School, presented the Ignite Innovation award to Ali Binswanger, third grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School and a 20-year veteran teacher. The award recognizes a Teacher of the Year who is creative in approach, willing to think outside the box and able to connect students with learning in unique ways.

  Sarasota attorney Dan Bailey, recipient of the 2019 Alumni of Distinction award honoring a graduate of Sarasota County Schools who has distinguished himself/herself professionally and in community service, presented the 2020 award to Sherri Reynolds. 

   Reynolds graduated from Sarasota High School in 1971. Before retiring in 2016, she was supervisor of pupil support service for Sarasota County Schools. Reynolds also has been a volunteer and board member for dozens of community organizations including Suncoast Community Blood Bank, Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, Sarasota Healthy Kids Insurance Advisory Committee, Take Stock in Children, and Season of Sharing.

  Emcee duties were shared by the 2019 and 2018 Sarasota County Teachers of the Year Shane Swezey and Es Swihart, who also are current teacher representatives on the EFSC board. Special guest Dre Graham, the 2020 Florida Teacher of the Year, honored teachers as “world changers.” Graham and Swezey joined to provide a program highlight with a spirited blues-style rendition of “Schoolteacher Blues,” an original composition by Swezey that had the guests laughing, clapping and singing along.

  Jennifer Vigne, president of the Education Foundation, thanked sponsors and guests for investing in teachers. In closing remarks, Vigne pledged to teachers: “We are here because of your dedication and commitment, and our work for you will never cease.”

 This year’s Ignite Education awards ceremony, held at the Westin Sarasota, was hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County and produced in partnership with the Sarasota County School District.