By Marc R. Masferrer, University Communications and Marketing
Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation of Sarasota has awarded the University of South Florida Foundation more than $250,000 to provide full scholarships to a cohort of 15 K-12 teachers from the Sarasota and Manatee school districts who are beginning graduate work in educational leadership in the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee this fall.
The pilot project, known as Project T2L3: Transforming Teaching and Learning Locally through Leadership, is designed to equip promising teachers in the two districts to serve as teacher-leaders and administrators capable of supporting diverse students, especially those with special learning needs.
Teachers who complete the five-semester, 36-credit-hour program will earn from USF a master’s degree in educational leadership and a graduate certificate in exceptional student education, as well as a state certification as an educational leader, said Brianne Reck, an associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies in the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee.
Brandy McCormack, a first-grade teacher at Ashton Elementary School in Sarasota, is one of 15 teachers from schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties that make up the Project T2L3 cohort.
The cohort is made up of eight students from Sarasota County and seven from Manatee County selected by their districts and the College of Education. They include a variety of teacher leaders who are already making a difference in their school communities, including teacher ambassadors, behavior specialists, interventionists, reading coaches, ESE liaisons and team leaders.
Members of the cohort gathered on campus for the first time on Saturday, Aug. 24, for introductions to their classmates and for lessons and other principles that will guide their work while in the program. They took a break for a luncheon featuring remarks by USF Sarasota-Manatee Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook; Campus Dean Cheryl Ellerbrock of the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee; USF College of Education faculty member Reck; Manatee Schools Superintendent Jason Wysong and Kaththea Johnson, the Manatee district’s executive director of school improvement and leadership development; Harriet Moore, director of strategic engagement with Sarasota County Schools; and John Annis, senior vice president at the Barancik Foundation.
The teachers expressed their gratitude for the opportunity the pilot program offers them to advance their careers and better serve their students and schools; and for the Barancik Foundation’s support.
Candice Woodworth, a fifth-grade teacher at Barbara Harvey Elementary School in Manatee County, said the program will prepare her to follow the example set by leaders she has worked with during her career. But even after being selected for the program, she wondered how she would pay for tuition and other expenses.
Candice Woodworth joined other teachers, as well as officials from USF Sarasota-Manatee and the Manatee and Sarasota school districts, in thanking the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation of Sarasota for supporting Project T2L3.
During an online meeting earlier this month, Reck delivered the good news that, thanks to the Barancik Foundation, members of the cohort would be receiving full scholarships.
“It let me know how grand our community is,” Woodworth said. “Sometimes teachers don’t always feel that we are supported, but there are people in our community who want to back us. That’s what we teach our students.”
Brandy McCormack, a first-grade teacher at Ashton Elementary School in Sarasota, started her 17th year as a teacher this fall. She said she has “worked in the most amazing schools, and leadership is what has driven me to continue and pursue this.
“To be able to do this with the scholarship and not have to worry is huge,” McCormack said. “I wouldn’t be here it wasn’t for the Barancik Foundation.”
The goal of Project T2L3, Reck said, is to prepare the students to better address the needs of an increasingly diverse student body in the two districts, and to support and retain high-quality teachers. Their projects and field work will help their schools address real-time challenges.
“This unique collaboration brings together both local districts and addresses their leadership development needs,” Reck said.
Ellerbrock said the support of the Barancik Foundation is a “game changer.”
“Improving the quality of school leadership in the local public schools is a passion for the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee,” Ellerbrock said. “It is wonderful to have a community partner like the Barancik Foundation support this new cohort of aspiring school administrators and teacher leaders as they work to not only advance their careers but better serve their schools and their students.”
Students in the Project T2L3 educational leadership program attended their first on-campus session on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Supporting education efforts in Sarasota and beyond is a major focus for the Barancik Foundation.
“We are excited to partner with USF Sarasota-Manatee on this educational leadership program,” Annis said. “Recruiting, retaining and recognizing great teachers is critical for student success, and we believe this pilot program will support all three of those areas.”
Holbrook is thrilled the Barancik Foundation is partnering with the College of Education to address a pressing need in the community.
“Preparing responsive future school-based leaders, especially in Sarasota and Manatee counties, is one of the major priorities for the College of Education on our campus,” Holbrook said. “We are grateful for the Barancik Foundation’s support as our faculty, along with our partners in the school districts, start this unique program to improve the leadership in our local schools.”
The new cohort is the latest effort by the College of Education at Sarasota-Manatee to work with local school districts to help them prepare and keep exemplary talent in the local school districts and provide opportunities to move into school administration.
Brett Kemker, vice provost and Sarasota-Manatee regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success, said the educational leadership program will offer research opportunities for faculty in the College of Education. USF plans to study this unique model for preparing school leaders so it may serve as an example for other districts and leadership preparation programs to improve the quality of teaching and leadership in schools.
“This partnership between USF and the Barancik Foundation will have an amazing impact on our community,” Kemker said. “We are confident this pilot program will improve the quality of teaching and leadership in local classrooms and serve as a model for other public schools facing similar challenges.”
Other College of Education programs addressing the chronic teacher shortage in the area include Project Parasol, which is preparing paraprofessionals for teaching positions; the college’s work at two Community Partnership Schools in Bradenton; and the Grow Your Own Teacher Leadership Academy.