USF Sarasota-Manatee Honors Future Educators at Signing Day

Sarasota, Florida – USF Sarasota-Manatee Celebrates Future Educators at Third Annual Educator Signing Day

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee recently commemorated its third annual Educator Signing Day, where five graduating students signed contracts to embark on their teaching careers within the School District of Manatee County. This event underscores the university’s ongoing partnership with the local school system and highlights the commitment of these future educators to the teaching profession.

Families, along with faculty members and district leaders, gathered to show their support for the new educators as they took this significant step towards their professional journeys. The event was designed to mimic athletic signing ceremonies, celebrating the graduates’ dedication to education and recognizing their important future roles.

Dr. Brett Kemker, interim regional chancellor at USF Sarasota-Manatee, spoke about the vital role that educators play in shaping society by influencing future generations. The graduating educators will be assigned to several elementary schools across Manatee County, which include Williams Elementary, Jessie P. Miller Elementary, Ballard Elementary, and Bayshore Elementary.

One of the graduates, Lindsey Connolly, who will be teaching second grade at Williams Elementary, expressed her excitement about the opportunity to impact her students’ lives, a passion inspired by her family’s background in teaching. Another graduate, Bennitt Barnes, set to teach at Jessie P. Miller Elementary, shared that his decision to enter the profession was influenced by his mother’s extensive career as a teacher in the same district, where they have collaborated on aftercare services.

The celebration was a testament to the strong collaboration between USF and the Manatee County School District, which emphasizes providing paid internships and extensive hands-on training for aspiring educators. This partnership supports continuous professional development that seeks to prepare teachers for the evolving educational landscape.

Dr. Cheryl Ellerbrock, campus dean at USF Sarasota-Manatee, highlighted the significance of events like the Educator Signing Day in acknowledging and appreciating the dedication of teachers. The event not only congratulated the graduates but also reinforced the high value placed on educators within the community and beyond.

Kevin Chapman, the executive director of administration for Manatee County Schools, expressed pride in the partnership with USF, recognizing the impactful blending of teacher training and growth opportunities facilitated through this collaboration.

As the graduates celebrated with hugs and group pictures, they reflected on the prospect of commencing their teaching careers in the upcoming fall. Dr. Kemker encouraged the new educators by emphasizing that classrooms serve as the foundation for building the future, highlighting the essential qualities of energy, empathy, and excellence that they bring to their roles.

The event showcased the promising future of education in Manatee County and the commitment that USF Sarasota-Manatee has to fostering the next generation of teachers who will shape the educational landscape.