2017-18 Annual Report

ASPIRE HIGHER
2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

OUR MISSION
To enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in
teaching, and inspire innovation in education, guided by strategic
philanthropy.
OUR CREED
We believe education changes lives.
We believe every child deserves to reach his/her full potential.
We believe in creating brighter futures for our children.
We believe in leading in education innovations by taking calculated
risks.
We believe a vibrant & prosperous community is dependent upon
the value its community members place on high-quality education.
We believe an investment in a child’s education is the best
investment anyone can make.

2017-2018 ACHIEVEMENTS
ENHANCING THE POTENTIAL OF STUDENTS
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Total funds awarded for 170 classroom
$211,000 and school-wide grants
1,200+
middle school students impacted through
newly launched experiential learning
opportunities including:
College Explorations helped students
visualize their futures as college students
2
School-wide immersion grants piloted with USF Professors
as an expansion of EducateSRQ Grants Program
Unveiled new one-stop college
and career resource website,
LaunchYourPlan.com
Professionals visited middle school
classrooms to share their career
journeys through Career Chats
633
1,100
high school students and families impacted
by 2 College Admissions Planning
Seminars and 4 mini College Fairs
Students learned about
various careers through
30
Career Explorations to
20 partnering businesses
and organizations
8,800
Students connected to Naviance
college & career readiness software in
ALL eight middle schools plus North Port
High
$91,000
College scholarships provided to
Sarasota County Schools students
2School-based, foundation-managed
Student Success Centers approved
for August 2018 launch at North Port
and Riverview High Schools
40
Teachers celebrated and awarded
at the Ignite Education Teacher
of the Year Awards Celebration
Partnered with SRQ Media
to launch and present at the
inaugural PROJECThink
Conference, engaging
teachers to explore innovation
in education
225
Art pieces submitted to the createSRQ
Juried Arts Competition by talented
high school artists
3
Number of weeks three International Baccalaureate
(IB)educators will spend on a professional
development trip to South Africa this summer
INSPIRING INNOVATION IN EDUCATION
1,050
Students in grades 3-12 who
participated in STEM Fair and
STEMSmart Summit
2,000
Students and families provided
technology access through 17
Digital Learning Labs
1,955
Hours spent building mobile apps by
85 students and 40 volunteer mentors
during the #SRQHacks Hackathon

WE ENHANCE THE
POTENTIAL OF STUDENTS
Our shared vision is to see more graduates step confidently onto the next stage
of their life journey--qualified, prepared and motivated to succeed in college,
career and life.
“Without the scholarship I received from the
Education Foundation, college would have only
been a dream I may have never experienced.”
-2017 STRIVE Award recipient
The 20th annual STRIVE Awards Luncheon (formerly Most Improved
Student Awards Luncheon) celebrated 50 high school juniors and seniors
who overcame tremendous obstacles to substantially improve their lives.
All 25 seniors received a $2,500 scholarship for their postsecondary
education. One senior from each school was able to exchange his/her
check for a $5,000 scholarship.
We’re proud to honor the achievements of these incredible students while
upholding the legacy of H. Jack Hunkele who established the program
with Northern Trust in 1998.
North Port High Principal Brandon Johnson embraces STRIVE award recipient, Rachel Milliken
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County thanks the Hunkele Family Foundation, Harold C. and Jacqueline Bladel Foundation, Evalyn
Sadlier Jones Foundation, Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation and Eluned and Edward Russell Charitable Foundation for generously
supporting this program.

McIntosh Middle School students visit Mote Aquaculture Park
“Many of my students were unaware of the
variety of careers in veterinary science. This
exploration opened doors for students who are
now pursuing those opportunities.” -Teacher
CLICK FOR A VIDEO!
Chief Judge Charles Williams speaks about his career in the legal and criminal justice field
CAREER EXPLORATIONS
The Education Foundation is proud to support Career Explorations. As part
of EdExploreSRQ, Career Explorations allow middle school classes to visit
businesses and organizations to learn about various career pathways.
Students complete hands-on activities and learn from professionals in the
field.
Thank you Bob and Willa Bernhard for investing in the Career Explorations expansion
this academic school year, impacting over 630 students!
COLLEGE EXPLORATIONS
Visiting a college campus and interacting with college students helps
students visualize their future as college students. Middle school students
visited the campuses of University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee,
Ringling College of Art + Design, State College of Florida, New College
of Florida and University of Florida Extension as part of the College
Explorations program. Kudos to our partners CareerEdge Funders
Collaborative and Cross-College Alliance for their support of this effort!
// WE ENHANCE THE POTENTIAL OF STUDENTS
CAREER CHATS
Career Chats bring career awareness right into the classroom! Professionals,
such as Twelfth Judicial Chief Circuit Court Judge Charles Williams, City
Manager Todd Kerkering and insurance executive Lisa Krouse, visited
middle school classes to share their career journey and instill confidence in
students as they begin discovering potential career paths.
Sarasota Police officers Casey Waugh and Marissa Zacarolli speak to students at Booker Middle
Career Chats and College Explorations were launched this year
thanks to a Florida Philanthropic Network grant facilitated through
Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

STUDENT SUCCESS CENTERS
Student Success Centers will serve as a hub for students to access resources to
prepare them for college, career and life:
COLLEGE
Advising
Exploration
Essay writing workshops
Financial aid workshops
ACT/SAT Test prep
Speakers
Career Explorations
Career Expo/Fair
Building a Resume
CAREERCareer
Interview Skills
LIFE
Leadership Development
Social-Emotional Learning
Communication Skills
Financial Literacy
RIVERVIEW HIGH
Central to our work is a shared view that success is not limited to one route
per lifetime. Rather, success is achieved when students can proficiently
develop and complete their own viable plan for life after high school. They
need to know that learning does not end with a diploma but is essential to
adapt and thrive in today’s constantly changing world.
Special kudos to William G and Marie Selby Foundation and Fawley
Bryant Architects for their contribution of bringing the Student Success
Centers from design concept to reality!
In response to the needs of our students and schools, we are working closely
with our district to open and staff school-based Student Success Centers that
supplement and enhance the personalized guidance of school counselors.
// WE ENHANCE THE POTENTIAL OF STUDENTS
NORTH PORT HIGH

WE PROMOTE
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Our teachers respond imaginatively to the array of support with innovative
methods, demanding curriculum and a passionate commitment to see students
succeed.
“Teaching is about helping students who
are struggling to find out who they are and
helping them find a space to be themselves.
It’s our job to help them grow.”
-Es Swihart, 2018 Teacher of the Year
For the second year in a row, a Riverview High School teacher was named
Sarasota County Teacher of the Year at the Ignite Education Awards
Celebration. The honor was bestowed upon Ms. Es Swihart, English
teacher.
New this year, an Alumnus of Distinction award was presented to
prominent local leader Jim Tollerton, in recognition of the role that education
has on career success. Additionally, a new Ignite Innovation award
was presented to Suncoast Technical College teacher Robb Wolfe for his
inventive teaching methods and the lasting impression left on his students.
CLICK FOR A VIDEO!
As an expansion of Ignite Education, we sent three Phillippi Shores
Elementary IB World School teachers to visit the Good Work Foundation in
South Africa this summer. The teachers (Jennifer Willis, Samantha Cataline
and Ann Matthews) are working with intern facilitators and students in
GWF rural digital learning centers. As they empower the facilitators with
effective and innovative teaching skills, they will also witness the joy of
learning through the eyes of young village students who highly value the gift
of an education. Upon returning home, the teachers will apply this newfound
perspective and better understanding of global cultures with the Phillippi
Shores school community. Kudos to the Koski and Knopik families for helping
make this trip possible!
Ignite Education professional development trip to South Africa
Thank you to the 2018 Ignite Education title sponsors, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Publix Super Markets Charities, Charles &
Margery Barancik Foundation, Sunset Automotive Group and Jon F. Swift Construction.

EDUCATESRQ GRANTS PROGRAM
Classroom and school-wide grants are provided to teachers who are
imaginative, creating innovative projects that grab and hold students’
attention, keep them engaged, and open their minds to new concepts.
374
grant applications
submitted in 2017-18
170
grants awarded
totaling
$211,000
SCHOOL-WIDE GRANTS
Fruitville Elementary
Page to Stage: Theatre and Writing
Experience
Lamarque Elementary
Valued Learning with Families = Treasured
Memories for All
McIntosh Middle
Got Dirt: Let’s Dig Deeper
North Port High
Service with a Smile: Tiered Tutoring
Sarasota Military Academy Prep
Project Earth
Venice Middle
After Hour Kid Power
Wilkinson Elementary
STEAM in Our World: Inside,
Outside and All Around!
CLASSROOM GRANTS
• Alta Vista Elementary
• Ashton Elementary
• Atwater Elementary
• Bay Haven School of
Basic Plus
• Booker High
• Booker Middle School
• Brentwood Elementary
• Cranberry Elementary
• Englewood Elementary
• Fruitville Elementary
• Glenallen Elementary
• Gocio Elementary
• Gulf Gate Elementary
• Lakeview Elementary
• Lamarque Elementary
• Mcintosh Middle
• North Port High
• Oak Park School
• Phillippi Shores
Elementary
• Pine View School
• Riverview High
• Sarasota Academy
of the Arts
• Sarasota High
• Sarasota Middle
• Sarasota Military
Academy
// WE PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
• Sarasota Military
Academy Prep
• Sarasota School of Arts
and Sciences
• Southside Elementary
• Suncoast School for
Innovative Studies
• Toledo Blade Elementary
• Tuttle Elementary
• Venice Middle
• Wilkinson Elementary
• Woodland Middle
IMMERSIVE GRANTS
In partnership with USF Professors, we piloted two school-wide immersion
programs to engage students in a scientific, inquiry-based learning scenario
that spans all subject areas. The program can be adapted and aligned with
any curriculum, introduce new fields of study and career choices, and provide
professional development opportunities for teachers.
WE BUILT THIS CITY! BOOKER MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students built a simulated city and came together to protect it when a
probiotic outbreak hit! This project was made possible thanks to the generosity
of United Way Suncoast.
THE GREAT IMPACT VENICE ELEMENTARY/HIGH SCHOOL
A simulated meteor landing was investigated by both elementary and high
school students with the help of NASA scientists. This project was made
possible thanks to the generosity of the Dart Foundation.

EDUCATESRQ GRANT SPOTLIGHT
A sampling of McIntosh Middle School grants
SCHOOL-WIDE GRANT GOT DIRT – LET’S DIG DEEPER
Students analyze and study soils, complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic
matter and long decayed once living things – quite literally, the skin of the earth!
Students learn the process of photosynthesis, soil respiration and the different aspects
and characteristics of our ecosystems by engaging in hands-on inquiry-based math
and science instruction in the classroom and multiple locations throughout Florida.
Students work in teams to collect, analyze and prepare their finding for presentation,
and collaborate with students and colleagues in STEM programs around the country.
ON-SITE SOIL EXPERIMENTS
Selby Botanical Gardens - Students identify components of organic and inorganic
materials.
Historic Spanish Point - Students investigate ancient ecosystems and understand
rate of change, causes and possible mitigation.
Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine - Students measure the emissions of carbon
dioxide on soil microbes to compare soil respiration in various sectors of the state.
CLASSROOM GRANT
DOROTHY RIEGER | PROJECT DRESS FOR SCIENTIFIC SUCCESS
White lab coats inspire professionalism and a tradition of excellence in the pursuit
of scientific knowledge. Protective gear, like lab coats, help students avoid staining
their clothing and allow them to be easily recognizable as scientists. Students feel
free to physically, enthusiastically engage – regardless of how untidy the dissection
or the experimentation may become, knowing their clothing is protected! Students
rise to this ‘dress for success’ philosophy, and it serves them throughout their lives.
Students conduct experiments and perform dissections on deceased bovine hearts,
fetal pigs, Ovis aries ocular, Tenebrio molitor, Rattus Muroidea, and the Gryllidae
species of invertebrates.
Students investigate the physical and chemical changes while performing assorted
experiments. Hazardous materials that students will work with include Copper (II)
Sulfate, Sodium Hydroxide pellets, Silver Nitrate, Hydrochloric Acid, Lead Nitrate,
Phenolphthalein and Sulfuric Acid. These chemicals are used regularly in all forms
of scientific experimentation. Without proper protective gear, such as a lab coat,
the chemicals can be very hazardous to
students.
GOALS
• Understand the relevancy of soil as it relates to the quality of our renewable
and nonrenewable resources
• Learn the role of cellular respiration n the carbon cycle
• Examine photosynthesis and respiration rates from various ecosystems in FL
• Develop an increased understanding of linear relationships
• Develop an enhanced awareness of the properties of math and science as
they relate to high school and college coursework
// WE PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

WE INSPIRE INNOVATION
IN EDUCATION
Backed by the community, we are empowered to step up as the early adopter
of ground-breaking trends and emerging developments. We are willing to risk,
to innovate, to try untested concepts and to support our students and teachers
at unprecedented levels.
“The hackathon inspired me to dream bigger and
accomplish my goals. This made me feel like I could
do anything, no matter what was in my way!”
-2018 #SRQHacks Hackathon participant
The Education Foundation #SRQHacks Hackathon is an intense,
collaborative technology and business plan experience joining together
nearly 100 middle and high school students with over 60 talented
community mentors and volunteers for an annual weekend-long event. The
hackathon helps students build key 21st century skills and exposes them
to a wide variety of potential careers. Teamed with mentor professionals
from the technology, design and business industries, students are inspired
to brainstorm, build and present a mobile app prototype and create a
business plan.
Thank you to the key sponsors who made the second annual event
possible including Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Catalina Charitable
Foundation, Sarasota Underground and Informa!
We are grateful to everyone who made another hackathon a great success
including the talented mentors, hardworking volunteers, event emcee Pete
Petersen, and a distinguished judging panel: Dr. Todd Bowden, Douglas
Cherry, Anne Essner, Lisl Liang, Jon Stuart and Chief Judge Charles
Williams.
CLICK FOR A VIDEO!
#SRQHacks student hackers present their final app and business plan to a full house
Special shoutout to Anand Pallegar (DreamLarge) and Anne Essner for their combined gift of $10,000, which gave each hackathon team the
opportunity to make a $1,000 gift to their favorite charity. It’s never too early to start inspiring philanthropy!

STEM FAIR
Thanks to funding provided by Dart Foundation and PGT Innovations, more
than 1,000 students were able to participate in the Regional STEM Fair
competition at Robarts Arena. We appreciate the community volunteers
who helped judge nearly 600 projects submitted by students in grades
3-12. Ten Sarasota County students went on to compete and win awards at
the 63rd Annual State Science & Engineering Fair.
STEMSMART SUMMIT
Middle and high school Career Technical Education (CTE) teams competed
in areas like robotics, engineering, website design, drone flying and more.
Kudos to Venice High School for taking home the overall STEMSmart
Summit champion title. We thank all of
the volunteers who donated their time to
serve as STEMSmart Summit judges!
Shout out to Gulf Coast Community Foundation for their continued support and new
partner, Roskamp Institute, for making STEMSmart Summit possible!
// WE INSPIRE INNOVATION IN EDUCATION
CREATESRQ
Over 240 artworks were submitted by Sarasota County high school
students into the createSRQ Juried Arts Competition. The Top 25 artworks,
as selected by a panel of judges, were auctioned off at our annual
fundraising event The Bash: An Evening of Excellence Anew. Students
received scholarship awards and recognition for their tremendous talent.
Thanks to The Bash co-chairs Sherry & Tom Koski for their leadership,
passion and contributions!
Shoutout to our title sponsor, PNC Wealth Management, as well as
Ringling College of Art + Design, Jon F. Swift Construction, Community
Foundation of Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation,
McIntyre Elwell & Strammer General Contractors, Tandem Construction,
and Willis A. Smith Construction. Special thank you to Ringling College
for the scholarships they provided for select students!

CHAMPIONS OF EDUCATION
We were thrilled to launch our first Champions of Education Annual Giving
campaign this year! We’re deeply appreciative for the champions who made a
2017-18 unrestricted gift. Unrestricted gifts allow us to respond quickly to a
rapidly evolving education and innovation landscape by directing funds to where
they’re needed most.
HURRICANE IRMA CLASSROOM RELIEF FUND
Following the impact of Hurricane Irma last September, the Education
Foundation of Sarasota County created the Hurricane Irma Classroom
Relief Fund to help Sarasota County teachers restore their classrooms so
they could get back to what matters most... student learning!
Fourteen Sarasota County Schools operated as emergency shelters during
the hurricane housing more than 19,000 evacuees and their pets. As a
result, many classroom supplies were used during the storm. Clean up and
maintenance became a top priority so teachers and students could return to
their classrooms with limited disruption.
Thanks to the generosity of a caring community, we raised nearly
$30,000 to purchase and replenish much needed classroom
supplies. Thank you for your support!
We invite you to become a champion for education today.
Together, we can make life-changing opportunities possible for
our students and teachers.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN US!
“One person who took shelter in my room was with
a family that had just moved to Florida. The parents
were terrified out of their wits. It was their first
hurricane and they thought a majority of the items in
my room would become projectiles. The books were
more than likely thrown away in their frenzy.”
-Teacher from a school used as a shelter

2017-2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BOARD OFFICERS
Thomas L. Koski, Chair
Britt Riner, Vice Chair
Lisl Liang, Secretary
Juan Villavaces, Treasurer
BOARD MEMBERS
Cathi Clark Bell
Dorian Bizeau, Student
Asim Chauhan
Mark-Elliot Finley, Student
Tricia Fulton
Stuart Henderson
Linda Jellison
Sue Keating
Dr. Alok Sharma
EX-OFFICIO
Bridget Ziegler,
School Board Chair
Dr. Todd Bowden,
Superintendent,
Sarasota County Schools
BOARD EMERITUS
Wilma Hamilton
Walter G. Mills
Shirley A. Ritchey
Jon F. Swift
PRESIDENT
Jennifer Vigne
THANK YOU!
We sincerely appreciate your support and passion for helping every student
reach their full potential. You inspire us to work hard each and every day for
a brighter tomorrow.
Thanks for another great year, EFSC Board of Directors
EDFOUNDATIONSRQ.ORG | 941.927.0965
@EDUCATIONFDN