Leaders of the Sarasota County School District and Board and staff members of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation visited schools from Sarasota to North Port on May 14 to honor five outstanding teachers with Barancik Foundation’s Ripple Effect Teacher Award.
The group surprised each educator with the presentation of the award, which recognizes the honoree’s impact in and out of the classroom. The award includes a gift of $5,000 from the Foundation.
The five educators to receive the Ripple Effect Teacher Award in spring 2025 were:
- Rochelle Hilston, Woodland Middle School, English language arts teacher
- Sascha Hyer, Venice High School, social studies teacher and coach
- Marie Rosander, Pine View School, science teacher
- Suzette Trapani, Phillippi Shores Elementary School, IB coordinator
- Jennifer Weinberger, Heron Creek Middle School, math interventionist
“It is an honor to gather together and celebrate our wonderful teachers,” said Terry Connor, Superintendent of Schools, who took part in each award presentation along with members of his cabinet. “Though their dedication to teaching and learning inspires the entire school community, our students experience the positive ripple effects firsthand. We are grateful to partner with Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation to highlight the life-changing impact our teachers have on the future.”
“You Deserve It”
The morning-long series of award ceremonies began at Pine View School, where sixth-grade science teacher Marie Rosander was honored. From there, the group traveled to Venice High School to recognize social studies teacher and coach Sascha Hyer, followed by Heron Creek Middle School and Woodland Middle School in North Port to celebrate math interventionist Jennifer Weinberger and sixth-grade English language arts teacher Rochelle Hilston. The presentations concluded shortly after noon at Phillippi Shores Elementary School with a final surprise for IB coordinator Suzette Trapani.
At each stop, Superintendent Connor read a portion of the award nomination that the school’s principal had submitted, unbeknownst to the winner. Then Barancik Foundation’s Greg Luberecki presented the recipient with a framed award certificate and a $5,000 check. “Recognizing our school district’s teachers as the professionals they are is a priority for Barancik Foundation,” he told the awardees. “On behalf of a grateful community, I’m honored to present you with this gift—you deserve it.” Other Foundation representatives on hand at each award presentation included Board Chair Rebecca Barancik and Board member and retired Sarasota County Schools educator Dr. Laura Kingsley.
Barancik Foundation’s Ripple Effect Teacher Award recognizes exceptional teachers in the Sarasota County School District for the difference they make in the lives of their students, their schools, and the wider community. The award was created in memory of Chuck and Margie Barancik—who was a teacher herself—and is presented to five teachers twice a year, in May and September, to mark the Baranciks’ respective birthday months. This round of Ripple Effect Awards commemorates Chuck Barancik’s birthday of May 27.
The award’s name recalls the couple’s belief that while their philanthropy couldn’t change the world, “we can change little pieces of it and hope for a ripple effect,” as Margie Barancik once memorably said. To date, 45 Sarasota County Schools educators have received the award.
