September 21, 2022 - Sarasota, FL— Teachers change lives every day. Many of us find ourselves conjuring up memories of how a teacher changed our journey during important moments in our personal and professional lives.
Outside of family, teachers are one of the important factors in shaping a child’s future. Amazing teachers can lead to amazing trajectories for growth and change and success in a child’s life.
Recently, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation recognized five Sarasota County teachers for going above and beyond in their profession.
Barancik Foundation named five Ripple Effect Teacher Awards winners in partnership with Sarasota County Schools in memory of Margery Barancik. The semi-annual prize acknowledges five outstanding teachers on Chuck’s birthday in May and five on Margie’s birthday in September. Each teacher recognized for their positive impact on their students’ lives is awarded $5,000 to spend on professional development experiences, material, and equipment for their classrooms.
Margie’s fall awardees are:
- Amy Baldwin, Gocio Elementary
- Xiomara Dearing, Ashton Elementary
- Dr. Carmen Larson, Sarasota Middle School
- Katie Leworthy, Atwater Elementary
- Jamie Davidson, Woodland Middle School
A surprise to the teachers, each winner was recognized by the superintendent, their principal, and members of the School District during a special ceremony at their schools. The recipients were commended for their innovative efforts in building positive cultural changes at their schools—among their students and peers. All were recognized for the lasting impact they have on their students.
“Students recognize the impact of their teachers every day – they live it with these wonderful educators nearly every day – but this is our way honoring the heroes in our midst in way that makes their lives better, too,” says Teri A Hansen, President|CEO of Barancik Foundation.
Launched in 2021, the award was inspired by the late Barancik couple’s philosophy on their charitable giving, often noting, “We can’t change the world, but we can change little pieces of it and hope for a ripple effect.”
Facilitated by the School District, each Sarasota County principal nominated one teacher to be considered for the award. A committee made up of community leaders then identified the top candidates.
“Our teachers make a tremendous impact on the lives of their students and families,” said Dr. Brennan Asplen, Superintendent of Sarasota County Schools. “These latest Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Ripple Effect awardees exemplify the compassion, perseverance, and high-quality educational best practices that enable our students to achieve great things, both now and rippling ahead into the future.”
Previous winners have used the funds for classroom improvement projects, professional development workshops across the country, and items like musical equipment and state-of-the-art robots to help pique students’ interest in the classroom. Barancik Foundation has made an ongoing commitment to award the 10 $5,000 teacher grants each year.
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About Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation
The Charles and Margery Barancik family has long believed in the power of philanthropy to shape our world and enrich the lives of all people. It was the expression of this belief that led them in 2014 to establish Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation—a private, family foundation located in Sarasota, Florida. Barancik Foundation creates initiatives and awards grants in Sarasota and beyond in the areas of education, humanitarian causes, arts and culture, the environment, and medical research. For more information, visit www.barancikfoundation.org.
About Sarasota County Schools
Sarasota County Schools is committed to providing unrivaled academic, emotional, and civic growth to every student, every day. As one of the leading employers on the Suncoast, Sarasota County Schools boasts 55 schools that expertly cater to the diverse needs of all our students. We are one of two Florida school districts to consistently earn an A-grade every year since 2004 and have been awarded the Mid-Sized School District of the Year by the University of Cambridge. Our passionate educators empower students to take charge of their academic and personal success, a practice we believe fosters lifelong growth and achievement. Working as one, we actively maintain the district’s tradition of excellence and ensure that tradition extends to all students. Our commitment to our students extends beyond graduation to make sure they not only graduate on time, but do so college and career ready. Want to take your student’s education to the next level? Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or visit www.SarasotaCountySchools.net.
An image of Gocio Elementary teacher Amy Baldwin and her class.
An image of Atwater Elementary teacher Katie Leworthy and her class.
