Five Sarasota County Schools educators received our Ripple Effect Teacher Award this month.
On September 18, Barancik Foundation staff were joined by district and school-level leaders, including Superintendent Terry Connor, to surprise each honoree with a pop-up award ceremony at their school. The Ripple Effect award includes a gift of $5,000 from the Foundation.
“This award celebrates teachers who exemplify the very best in education,” said Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of Barancik Foundation. “Their dedication and drive have made a lasting impact on their students, their colleagues, and the wider community. We hope that when students see their teachers recognized in this way, they understand how vital great teachers are to our community.”
The five educators who received the fall 2025 Ripple Effect Teacher Award are:
Joe Brunetti, English Language Arts Teacher, Suncoast Polytechnical High School
Allison Cohen, Math Teacher and Department Chair, Booker Middle School
Olga Hernandez-Cardel, ESOL Liaison, Tuttle Elementary School
Khea Knight, College and Career Director, Booker High School
David Verdoni, Performing Arts Department Chair and Theory of Knowledge Teacher, Riverview High School
“We are fortunate to have so many highly skilled, devoted teachers in our school district,” said Terry Connor, Superintendent of Schools. “Our Ripple Effect winners have a profound impact on every aspect of their school communities, most importantly, the educational journeys of their students. These awards highlight their efforts and celebrate their unique contributions as educators. We are honored to partner with Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to give these teachers the recognition they deserve.”
Barancik Foundation created the Ripple Effect award in memory of founders Charles and Margery Barancik, who championed the role of educators in student success. Its name reflects the words of Margie Barancik, herself a former teacher, who once memorably said of the family’s philanthropy: “We can’t change the world, but we can change little pieces of it and hope for a ripple effect.”
The Foundation presents the award to five teachers twice a year, in May and September, with the current round timed to commemorate Margie Barancik’s birthday month. Since 2021, 50 Sarasota County Schools educators have been honored.