Five Sarasota County Schools educators have been named recipients of the Ripple Effect Teacher Award presented by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.
Foundation representatives were recently joined by school district leaders, including the superintendent, to surprise each honoree with a popup 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 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:
“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.”
‘Hope for a ripple effect’
The 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 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.
“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,” Connor said.
The Barancik family believes in the power of philanthropy to enrich the lives of all people and established the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation in 2014. The 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 information, visit barancikfoundation.org.
Submitted by Greg Luberecki
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Five Sarasota County Schools educators honored with Ripple Effect Teacher Award
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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