Hi, I am Alexandra Barr, an 8th-grade MSA Science teacher at Brookside Middle School, serving students in the classroom and in our athletics department. I am currently earning my master's degree in educational leadership and am a big advocate for our 8th-grade students, sponsoring specific field trips that create lifelong memories!

I am a Biology teacher at Booker High School, where I assist with our shared decision-making team and participate in our instructional leadership team. I have a passion for improving student achievement and hope to contribute meaningfully to our district becoming number one in the state.

I am a 7th Grade Math teacher and the Math Department Chair at Heron Creek Middle School.  I have been teaching middle school math for eight years.  I am so excited to be part of the USF Sarasota/Manatee Cohort, earning my master’s degree in educational leadership. 

I’m Arielle Santercangelo, a proud CTE teacher at Woodland Middle School and honored to be named the 2023-2024 Sarasota County Schools CTE Teacher of the Year. With my background in construction management and engineering, I engage my students in hands-on projects in engineering and robotics, and I also serve as the advisor for the Technology Student Association (TSA).

I am the Visual Arts teacher at Sarasota Middle School and have been teaching in Sarasota County Schools for the past 12 years. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Arts Education, a Master's, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, and I am also a practicing local artist.

I have been a teacher for 21 years and am the ESOL Liaison at Woodland Middle School. I love helping our EL students learn English and seeing them succeed.

I am in my 27th year as a math/science/music teacher at Riverview High School, where my additional duties include serving as the science department chair, the Master Scheduler for the school, and the Associate Director of the RHS Kiltie Band. I also serve as the current District Chairman for District 11 of the Florida Bandmasters Association, and I was blessed to be named the 2010 Sarasota County District Teacher of the Year.

I have been a teacher in Sarasota County Schools since 1997, teaching kindergarten, third grade, fifth grade, gifted, ESE, and ESE Liaison, and I worked at the district office for two years. I have been married for 29 years and have two adult sons: one works at New College and is earning his Master’s in Sports Management, while the other is a junior at Ringling School of Art and Design studying film.

My name is Elizabeth Smith, and I teach PreK at Gocio Elementary School. This is my 31st year teaching young children, and I still love it!

I’m Emily, and I am an early elementary ESE teacher at Gocio Elementary. I truly believe every student is capable of learning and growing, and it is on us to figure out how to help guide them!

My name is Islande Edouard-Noel and I am a 5th grade Math and Science teacher at Atwater Elementary School. I have been teaching for 15 years. 8 years in Miami Dade County and 7 years for Sarasota County. I have a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and I aspire to be in Leadership.

With a deep commitment to innovative problem-solving, I work as an IB Coordinator to guide and support students and teachers in realizing transformative educational outcomes. My focus is on creating an environment where creativity and collaboration drive success.

I've been teaching for 22 years in various school settings, including private, charter, and my true passion—working with both students and teachers in Title I schools. I love helping new teachers feel less overwhelmed, seeing the light of learning ignite in students, and living by the quote from Steve Spaulding, 'Best Day Ever,' because every day of learning should be just that.

After a long time in corporate America, I chose to be in the classroom. I’ve been in education for 13 years, all of which have been at Riverview High School.

I teach AS and A-level chemistry at Sarasota High and serve as a trainer for Cambridge. I get to spend my day with some truly outstanding students, and it is the best job in the world.

My name is Kayla Northcutt, and I am a 1st-grade teacher at Glenallen Elementary School. I have been teaching elementary for 8 years. I am committed to creating a safe, fun, and inclusive learning environment for all students in my classroom.

As a fourth-grade math and science teacher at Tuttle Elementary with a Master's degree in online learning and education, I am passionate about integrating innovative teaching methods to inspire curiosity and critical thinking in my students. I believe that education is the key to unlocking every child's potential and strive to make learning both engaging and meaningful in my classroom.

I have been teaching for 15 years and hold both a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master's in Educational Leadership. I am excited to work on the STAC to impact teaching and learning in Sarasota County Schools positively.

Hello, my name is Rachel Della-Donna, I am a Kindergarten teacher at Wilkinson Elementary. I love playing tennis and reading. A quote that I relate to is from Shakespeare - ‘We know what we are, but know not what we may be.’

My name is Ronnique Major, and I am the 2024 Sarasota County District Teacher of the Year. I have been teaching at Emma E. Booker Elementary for 26 years. This is the 31st year of my teaching career.

I teach chemistry, physics, and calculus at SPHS and act as a mentor for our school’s First Robotics team and the rocketry club Team True Fire. I am on the board of directors for the Suncoast Science Center and have an extensive past as a scientist prior to becoming a teacher.

My goal is to empower my students to use their passion and skills to make the world a better place. "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." ~ Aristotle

I have a Bachelor's in International Business from EAFIT in Colombia and a Master of Arts in Spanish from USF. Before becoming a Spanish teacher, I worked in HR and Marketing in the corporate world. I was a teaching assistant at USF for two years, and I've been teaching at VHS for the past three years.