Pictured: Ripple Effect Teacher Award winner Carrie Koontz (back center) is surrounded by Taylor Ranch Elementary School students. Photo courtesy of Barancik Foundation.

Making a difference is no small feat but Carrie Koontz, a second-grade teacher at Taylor Ranch Elementary, reminds her students every year that it only takes one positive action to make a difference in someone’s life.

The Ripple Effect Teacher Award was created by the Barancik Foundation to celebrate the passionate and innovative Sarasota County public school teachers for their dedication to helping their students, peers and the community grow in different areas. Carrie Koontz begins every school year by telling her students the story about the kid and the starfish: “As a kid and a man are walking along the beach, the man notices the kid picking up starfish and throwing them back into the water. The guy tells the kid, ‘There are starfish everywhere, it’s not going to make a difference. You can’t save them all.’ The kid picks up another one, throws it back into the water, and responds, ‘It made a difference to that one’.” That small act of kindness is at the heart of Koontz’s teaching. Her dedication to fostering a nurturing, engaging and community-oriented learning environment has enriched her students' academic lives and instilled in them a sense of social responsibility and compassion.

In her classroom, Koontz emphasizes character education alongside academic learning. Each day, she introduces a "friendship quality" like amiable, charitable, or generous, which serves as both a vocabulary lesson and a discussion point for personal development. But it doesn’t stop there. “We do a fundraiser every year for Southeastern Guide Dogs. Our whole school comes together and we fundraise enough money to sponsor a puppy. The kids get to name the puppy and then they get to meet the puppy” says Koontz. These practices encourage students to embody these qualities in their interactions, fostering a positive and thoughtful attitude everywhere they go. Koontz's approach to education is holistic, focusing on academic achievement and developing students into kind, thoughtful, and community-minded individuals.

Outside the classroom, Koontz’s creative spirit is hard at work finding innovative ways to continue the learning process. She wrote and published a children’s book called Scooter and the Muttering Monster. “The book teaches kids how to overcome negative thoughts. Each counselor in Sarasota County has a copy that they can use” Koontz explains. Her dedication to extending education beyond the classroom ensures that her positive influence reaches even more children and supports their emotional well-being. One of the many anecdotes that highlight Koontz's impact is the story of a student who, inspired by the K Kids Club's ethos, set up a lemonade stand to raise money for sea turtles. This initiative, though small, exemplifies the ripple effect of Koontz's teachings on environmental stewardship and community service. It embodies the philosophy behind the starfish story she shares with her students, illustrating how even small actions can make a significant difference.

Carrie Koontz's recognition with the Ripple Effect Teacher Award is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her students and her community. Her innovative programs, mentorship, and emphasis on character education have created a lasting impact, making her a true exemplar of the positive influence teachers can have. Koontz's ability to inspire, engage, and nurture her students ensures that her legacy will continue to ripple through the lives she has touched.

Pictured: Ripple Effect Teacher Award winner Carrie Koontz (back center) is surrounded by Taylor Ranch Elementary School students. Photo courtesy of Barancik Foundation.