A high-school English teacher will walk in Shakespeare’s shoes while participating in specialized teacher training at London’s Globe Theatre.
A middle-school math instructor will examine how mathematical thinking literally shaped New England communities so her students can see math beyond the classroom.
Two second-grade teachers will take their students on a virtual exploration of Alaska’s last frontier through live video updates and an interactive summer classroom.
These are just three of the creative learning experiences that 25 Sarasota County Schools educators will complete next year through Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s TIME Fellowship. Selected from more than 100 proposals, Barancik Foundation’s 2027 TIME Fellows each will receive up to $12,000 to pursue personal projects designed to inspire novel approaches to instruction while renewing their own enthusiasm for teaching.
“Margie and Chuck Barancik deeply admired the teachers in our community, and thanks to Margie’s own teaching career, they understood the critical role that a motivated and effective educator plays in a child’s academic success,” said John Annis, President & CEO of Barancik Foundation. “The TIME Fellowship reflects our belief that when teachers have the opportunity to pursue their own interests, discover new ideas, and recharge professionally and personally, their students will benefit too.”
Meet the 2027 TIME Fellows
The new class of TIME Fellows will complete their fellowship projects in 2027:
- Susan Ashby, Sarasota High School – Math in the Wild: Reconnecting with the Beauty of Mathematics
- Laszlo Balla, Gocio Elementary School – Ancient Egypt, the Land of the Pharaohs
- Mindy Basye, Alta Vista Elementary School – From Morphemes to Myths: A Literacy Journey Through Greece
- Kathryn Brandow, Venice Middle School – The People Behind the History: A Journey of Remembrance, Renewal, and Rediscovery
- Joseph Brunetti, Suncoast Polytechnical High School – Living Heritage: Modeling Cultural and Environmental Preservation for AP Scholars
- Joseph Crossett, Riverview High School – Walking in Shakespeare’s Shoes and Mind: A Trip from the Globe Theatre to the Castles of Macbeth
- Stacey Embury, Cranberry Elementary School – Where Stories Begin and Readers Grow: A Literary Journey
- Susy Grandusky, Pine View School – Two Texts, Two Cities: Enriching the Classics Through Immersive Experiences in London and Amsterdam
- Lorrie Hillyer, Heron Creek Middle School – Mathematics That Built America
- Kerri Kreger, Ashton Elementary School – Lights, Camera, Creativity!
- Jenny Lages, Riverview High School – “The Road Goes Ever On and On” – Literature and History in the United Kingdom
- Alicia Loomis, Sarasota High School – Art and Cultural Exploration Through Restorative Travel
- Michael McGuckin, Riverview High School – Finding Patterns: Ireland’s Ancient Engineering, Mathematical Wonders, and My Family Roots
- Amanda Neff, Glenallen Elementary School, and Cynthia Zarife, Fruitville Elementary School (group project) – Alaska Unleashed: Our Classroom Without Walls!
- David Oness, Sarasota High School – A Journey Through Vietnam: Experiencing History to Share With Others
- Chris Pauling and Judit Pauling, Pine View School (group project) – Beyond the Familiar: A Journey of Curiosity, Culture, and Renewal
- Rachael Pawloski, Sarasota Middle School – Renewal in Italy: Exploring Democracy, Architecture, Art, Culture, and Coastlines
- Kelly Phillips, Ashton Elementary School – Finding Wonder Again: Renewing a Lifetime of Teaching Through Nature, Curiosity, and Exploration
- Allen Regar, Pine View School – Hearts Abroad: A Journey into Switzerland and Italy’s Systems of Student Support
- Laura Segreto, Pine View School – Becoming the Modern Herodotus: A Journey of Discovery, Reflection, and Renewal
- Mia Slaton, Venice High School – Beyond TIME: Experiencing New Culture, History, Engagement, and Personal Growth
- David Wing, Venice High School – Composers, Castles, & Concert Halls: A Musical Journey to Germany, Austria, and Beyond!
- Megan Wink, Lakeview Elementary School – Where Roots Meet Discovery: An Irish STEM Journey
For a description of each 2027 TIME Fellowship project, go here.
Barancik Foundation created the TIME Fellowship program in 2022 in memory of Margie and Chuck Barancik. TIME stands for “Time to Inspire Margie’s Educators.” To date, the Foundation has awarded 150 Sarasota County Schools educators with the TIME Fellowship.
