Ronnique Major, a fifth-grade teacher at Emma E. Elementary School, was named the 2024 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year at the Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Award Celebration hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. A product of Sarasota County Schools who has taught elementary school students for 30 years in Maryland and Florida, Major will represent district teachers throughout the 2023 calendar year and will serve as the Sarasota County Schools nominee for state Teacher of the Year. Haley Brown, of Pine View School, was recognized as the Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Dennis Pinna, of North Port High School, was recognized as the High School Teacher of the Year. Josette Ortega, a third-grade teacher at Dreamers Academy, was named the Innovation Teacher of the Year. She was honored for the innovative, hands-on learning she uses to inspire her students and prepare them for a rapidly changing world. The Education Foundation hosts this event each year through the support of its generous donors. The celebration brings together remarkable teachers and their families, school and district administrators, local politicians, and business and community leaders. This year’s event was held at the Venice Community Center. Kari Johnson, the 2021 district Teacher of the Year and a Florida Teacher of the Year finalist top-five finalist, emceed the event. Each finalist was also highlighted in a video and introduced by last year’s Teacher of the Year finalists and Innovation Teacher of the Year. Thanks to the presenting sponsor, Sunset Automotive Group, the Education Foundation presented Major with a $5,000 cash award and Brown, Pinna, and Ortega with gifts of $2,500 each. All 46 Teacher of the Year Award recipients representing schools across the district were honored and celebrated. Through the support of Sunset Automotive Group, all recipients received cash gifts of $250. The Ignite Education Teacher of the Year Award Celebration was made possible by presenting sponsor Sunset Automotive Group, gold sponsors Publix Charities and Suncoast Credit Union, and many other generous organizations. The Education Foundation is grateful for their generosity and support of teachers.