Sarasota County Names its Teacher of the Year

Lori White, superintendent of Sarasota County Schools, stepped up to the podium at Michael’s on East Wednesday. She was making a speech at the ceremony to honor the county’s teacher of the year.

As she talked about the profession, she paused to hold back from tearing up. This was a day she can celebrate. A day when she did not have to worry about or the ongoing negotiations.

“You can get somewhat discouraged and disheartened if you allow yourself to focus on those issues,” White told the audience. “But today we pause to recognize the best and it feels so good.”

Melissa “Missy” Owens, a third grade elementary teacher at Bay Haven Elementary, was recognized as the best on Wednesday.

“This is an unbelievable moment,” Owens said.

Owens said it was her own third grade teacher that inspired here to do more. Inspired her to teach.  She hopes to inspire some of her students to do the same.

“The mission that we have [as teachers], to achieve success for all of our students,” Owens said.

White, before introducing Owens as teacher of the year said you cannot just measure success by scores or data. There are those intangibles that stick with you longer than a number, White said.

“Some teachers measure quality through that parent, that thank you note,” White said. “Sometimes it’s through the eyes of a student when finally the light bulb goes on and all that hard work pays off. But I tell you, in our profession, the highest recognition comes from your peers. Your peers know what matters.”

Before she was finished with her acceptance speech, Owens thanked the other two finalists - Jerry Stowell of Heron Creek Middle School in North Port and Jeffrey Kahler of Suncoast Polytechnical High School. [They are] “Just as deserving, and I’m honored to be in their league,” she said.

“It is a wonderful time for me to remember what really matters,” White said. “I am awed by what our schools do in the midst of fewer resources and larger challenges. They continue to focus on those students. Continue to do things well beyond any contract requirement. I am inspired by them.”

Each of the three finalists receives a cash award from the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, scholarships from Nova Southeastern University, and gift bags from McDonald’s of Sarasota. All three finalists attend the Excellence in Teaching Conference at the University of Notre Dame, all expenses paid, courtesy of the Notre Dame Club of Greater Sarasota. The individual selected as the district’s top Teacher of the Year receives a brand new car to use for the year from Sunset Chevrolet Buick GMC as well as a scholarship from the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and a stay at the Bungalow Beach Resort on Bradenton Beach.