3 Sarasota County Educators Named Teacher of the Year

SARASOTA, FL – Three Sarasota County educators were named Teacher of the Year by two statewide education organizations in October.

The Florida Reading Association named Sandy Waiter of Southside Elementary School the Elementary Reading Teacher of the year and Justine Jackson of Sarasota Middle School the Middle School Reading Teacher of the Year at its conference in Orlando last month.

The awards are presented by the Florida Reading Association to educators who have made significant contributions in the teaching of elementary reading, have applied innovative reading techniques in a classroom setting, have promoted reading outside the school and have published articles or made presentations.

The Florida Reading Association also honored Paige Driza of McIntosh Middle School, who received the Joey Coy Shaffer Past Presidents Scholarship. The award recognizes educators who have taught for less than three years. Winners receive $200 toward expenses to attend the Florida Reading Association annual conference.

“We are proud to celebrate these excellent teachers form our district,” said Laurel Hinds, a Tuttle Elementary School teacher and secretary of the Sarasota Reading Council, an affiliate of the Florida Reading Association.

Also last month, the Florida Council of Teachers of English named Riverview High School College and Career Advisor Debra Piner as the Teacher of the Year at its Professional Development Institute in Cocoa Beach. Piner formerly taught language arts at Booker Middle School.

“Debra is known for going above and beyond when it comes to reaching her students, and for making and maintaining connections with them,” said Donna Heath, a language arts teacher at Booker Middle School who is active with the Council. “Students always knew she would attend their events and be in the audience for their performances. In her new position at Riverview High, her former Booker Middle students have already visited her new office looking for guidance and encouragement in planning for college.”

Images courtesy of Sarasota County Schools