Superintendent Lori White surprises Melissa Dweck, 2010 High School Teacher of the Year, at Sarasota High
SARASOTA COUNTY - The secret is out. Three of Sarasota County’s finest teachers found out they had won top honors this morning when the Teacher Tribute Tour arrived at their schools bearing balloons, awards and gifts.
Superintendent Lori White, the Education Foundation’s Cindy Kaiser, School Board Chair Shirley Brown, School Board member Caroline Zucker and a bus full of district leaders, sponsors, and past winners traveled to three schools to surprise finalists in the 2010 Teacher of the Year competition. Winners at the elementary, middle and high school levels received the good news in front of delighted students, colleagues, and family members, who were in on the secret.
The first stop was at Sarasota High School, where Melissa Dweck was ushered into a packed auditorium as curtain rose on the Sailor Band, playing a rousing rendition of “Anchors Aweigh.” Teachers and students in the audience cheered as Lori White announced that the drama coach was selected as the 2010 High School Teacher of the Year for the entire district. Dweck’s parents, Joe and Cheri Dweck, handed their daughter a bouquet of flowers while principal Jeff Hradek congratulated her. “Not a teacher on this campus better embodies the spirit of our school,” he declared. Dweck has began her teaching career at Sarasota High School in 2002 and has been there ever since.

Lakeview Elementary Principal Joan Bower (left) with Elementary Teacher of the Year Karen Johns and husband Steve Johns
The bus rolled on to Lakeview Elementary, where the Tribute Tour joined all 700 of the school’s students in their outdoor amphitheater to await the arrival of K-5 music education teacher Karen Johns. Escorted to the stage by principal Joan Bower amid joyful screams, the stunned 2010 Elementary School Teacher of the Year surveyed a sea of waving pompoms. A colorful “Congratulations Mrs. Johns!!!” banner unfurled behind her as her husband, Steve presented flowers with a hug. Johns, who has been with Sarasota County public schools since 1990, teaches general music, chorus, advanced recorder and string ensembles in programs reaching all 700 Lakeview students. “We love Mrs. Johns because she’s always determined to teach us something new,” said one of her fifth-grade fans.

Seth Gardner of Woodland Middle School reacts to being named 2010 Middle School Teacher of the Year
The third and final stop for the day was at Woodland Middle School in North Port, where the entire school was gathered for an FCAT rally in the gym. The jazz band was winding down, and Mr. Gardner was just starting to lead his choir in “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” as the Tribute Tour burst on to the scene with his wife Cher in tow. Seth Gardner, 2010 Middle School Teacher of the Year, kept his cool. He accepted his balloons from last year’s winner and kudos from Superintendent White and principal Kristine Lawrence. Then he picked right up where he and the choir had stopped earlier. “To get to a point like this takes a lot of hard work,” Lawrence said the assembled students. “Mr. Gardner is here for you every day and countless nights, for basketball and volleyball games. So remember this next week and do the very best that you can – just like Mr. Gardner.” A Grade 6-7 choir, guitar and emerging technology teacher, Gardner moved to the area from Battle Creek, Michigan three years ago and has been with Woodland since it opened in 2008.
The overall district 2010 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a luncheon to be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 24 at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. The Teacher of the Year will represent the Sarasota County School District at the Florida Department of Education - Macy's Teacher of the Year program and serve as spokesperson and representative for the teaching profession throughout the 2010-2011 academic year.
Premier Sponsors of Teacher of the Year include Nova Southeastern University - Fischler School of Education and Human Services, Publix Super Markets Charities, and Sunset Chevrolet Buick GMC. The Notre Dame Club of Greater Sarasota is a Diamond Sponsor. Gold Sponsors are VALIC, McDonalds of Sarasota, and the Sarasota County School-Based Administrators Association. Sarasota County School District Administrators and Herff Jones-Steve Kline are Silver Sponsors.
Dedicated to quality education for all children, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is an independent, not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with the community and Sarasota County public schools. With the support of individuals, families, companies and foundations, the Education Foundation awards more than $1,200,000 each year to initiatives including the TeXcellence Computer Donation program, the Regional Science, Engineering and Technology Fair, Teacher of the Year, Academic Olympics, classroom grants, fine arts programs, and literacy initiatives. For more information visit EdFoundation.net or call 941-927-0965.