Sarasota County announces Teacher of the Year

Khea Davis knew she was preaching to the choir when she spoke about the importance of teachers during the Teacher of the Year luncheon at Michaels On East on April 5. 

"But sometimes the choir needs to know how important they are," Davis said. 

Davis, along with staff from Sarasota County Public Schools and the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, gathered to announce the 2017 Teacher of the Year from a pool of three finalists. 

The trio was narrowed down from an original group of 40 teachers who were named the top teacher at their respective schools. 

Each were awarded for their recognition before the announcement of the Sarasota County Teacher of the Year. 

"There was a point in your life where you made a decision," Superintendent Todd Bowden said to all the teachers in the room. "You made a decision to become a teacher ... After choosing to become a teacher, you decided to work in Sarasota, and we want to thank you for that."

After each of the individual awards had been passed out, it came time for the top prize. 

Superintendent Bowden took the stage once again. There was a moment of suspense but the three finalists, Christine Braun,  Holly Houghton-Brown and William “BJ” Ivey, didn't have to wait long. 

Bowden just had to say one word — coach. 

William "BJ" Ivey, the boys basketball coach at Riverview High School, rose from his chair to hug his wife and mother. 

Ivey was speechless as he took the podium, overwhelmed by the honor. He went on to thank his mother and his wife. 

As the event closed, teachers and Sarasota County Public Schools staff congratulated all the winners in the room for doing what they do every day. 

"You never stop. You keep pushing. You reach every child with a different learning style and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart," School Board Chairwoman Caroline Zucker said.