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Our Work

Time to Inspire Margie’s Educators

Begin your journey to personal refreshment and professional renewal. Lace up your walking shoes, peer through the telescope, dip your paintbrush, listen to the music, or simply rest along the shore. The TIME Fellowship Program offers Sarasota County educators time to reconnect with their love of teaching.

Key Links & Dates for Those Applying for 2024 Fellowships

  • Application Process and Tip Guide
  • Fellowship Application Portal
  • May 1, 2023 – Invitation to Apply
  • May 30, 2023 @ 2 p.m. – Informational Zoom
  • August 8, 2023 @ 11 a.m. – Informational Zoom
  • October 2, 2023 – Application deadline
  • November 2023 – Notification
  • December 31, 2024 – Fellowship completion deadline
  • January 31, 2025 – Final Report deadline

Why and What

Chuck and Margie Barancik loved our community’s children and teachers.  Because of Margie’s teaching career, they knew what research clearly states: a motivated and highly effective classroom teacher is the most crucial factor for a child’s academic success.

To honor Margie’s chosen profession, we launched the Time to Inspire Margie’s Educators Initiative, known as ‘TIME Fellowship,’ in 2022.  The initiative awards 25 Sarasota County Schools educators up to $12,000 to help revitalize and renew their commitment to teaching.  To date, 50 Sarasota County teachers, assistant principals, and principals have received fellowships in Margie’s honor.

Fellowship proposal:

Whether submitting a proposal individually or as part of a group, here are a few things to consider as you get started:

  • Winning proposals are intellectually revitalizing, personally renewing, and seek to creatively expand the educator’s experiences.
  • Proposals should be unique and provide opportunities for personal fulfillment that might otherwise not be available.
  • Proposals should demonstrate attention to clarity, organization, planning, and research.
  • While good stewardship of philanthropic funding is important, successful applicants often submit robust applications that take full advantage of the total funding potential.

Key Links & Dates for Fellows Awarded in 2023

  • Fellowship portal for final report submission
  • December 31, 2023 – Fellowship completion deadline
  • January 31, 2024 – Final Report deadline

Key Links & Dates for Fellows Awarded in 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

Currently, applications are accepted from select personnel within traditional public Sarasota County Schools (SCS).  This does not include charter, private, or virtual schools.  Eligible personnel include (a) teachers of record (licensed teachers assigned the lead responsibility for full-time instruction and grade assignment in classrooms), (b) assistant principals, or (c) principals who:

  • Are currently employed by and have taught in SCS full-time for at least three academic school years.
  • Hold a valid Professional Certificate with the Florida Department of Education.
  • Confirm their intention to teach/work in traditional public SCS for at least three academic years following their fellowship.

Can couples in which both parties are educators apply?

Yes, and each applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,000 for their fellowship, so $24,000 total in this case.

Can someone who is not employed by Sarasota County Schools join me on my fellowship?

Yes, as long as the fellowship does not exceed the budget.

If I applied in the past but my fellowship proposal was not chosen, can I reapply?

Yes, there is no limit to how frequently you apply.  We welcome and encourage return applicants.

Can my letter of recommendation from a colleague be someone from outside of work?

No. Your letters of recommendation must be from someone who works within Sarasota County Schools.

Are the fellowship funds taxable?

Yes, selected participants will be issued a 1099 tax form for all funds they receive.

If prices change or I am under budget, can I get reimbursed more money than I applied for?

No. Once decisions have been made, all payments are final based on your requested budget.

If I was previously awarded a fellowship, can I apply again in the future?

If you received a fellowship in the past, you must wait five years to reapply.

Still have questions?  Read our complete list of FAQs here or email us at [email protected].

About Barancik Foundation

The Charles and Margery Barancik family has long believed in the power of philanthropy to shape our world and enrich the lives of all people. It was the expression of this belief that led them in 2014 to establish Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation—a private, family foundation located in Sarasota, Florida.

1515 Ringling Boulevard, Suite 500, Sarasota FL 34236
The Barancik Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.

©2020 Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. All rights reserved.