2017-2018 Teachers of the Year
SC/TA members Christine Braun, Holly Houghton-Brown, and B.J. Ivey
Sarasota County’s 2017-2018 Teachers of the Year
Oct. 4, 2017
A nod to our 2017-2018 Teachers of the Year
As we continue the 2017-18 school year, here’s a shout out to our current Sarasota County Teachers of the Year 2018:
• Christine Braun is our district’s Middle School Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching at Pine View School since 2005, first as a 4th grade Gifted Language Arts/Social Studies teacher, then as a 7th grade Gifted Civics Social Studies teacher. She now teaches AP European History.
Chris facilitates her team’s Professional Learning Community, co-wrote curriculum for the Civics Law Unit, is a Class of 2018 Sponsor, serves on the graduation committee, and on the School Advisory Committee, and is an active member of the Pine View Association.
Mrs. Braun promotes an open mindset and pushes her students to see real world connections between civics and their personal lives. She takes great pride in exposing her students to the thought that as we age, life will change from black and white thinking to gray. It is her hope “that my students begin to see a “gray” perspective to learn the art of compromise and problem solving.”
She also believes that planning time with colleagues is paramount. The collaborative team planning among her and her team members engage creates thought-provoking lessons, rigorous and stimulating lessons and conversations amongst her students, and helps to build camaraderie and relationships.
Mrs. Braun truly instills a passion for learning with her students and colleagues. She is an inspiration to the teaching profession!
• Representing Sarasota County Elementary is Holly Houghton-Brown. Holly is a fifth-grade teacher at Tatum Ridge Elementary and has been teaching in our school district for 17 years.
Mrs. Houghton-Brown works tirelessly to ensure her “school” children’s needs are met. She believes it is critical to find a healthy balance between facilitating her students’ skill development and nurturing their confidence and curiosity.
She believes each of her students has value to offer to their classmates, the community and the world. With that philosophy, she builds strong flexible teams of students who interact with each other in a positive manner and support each other both academically and emotionally.
Her peers see Holly as dynamic, the ultimate professional, and the one teacher that all students should have in their lives. Her administrators, both past and present, feel Mrs. Houghton-Brown goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her diverse learners, works collegially with the staff and families, and is admired by all.
Holly currently serves as the Chairperson of the Tatum Ridge Literacy Committee and has been a member of the Tatum Leadership Committee.
• Serving as our High school Teacher of the Year and Sarasota’s County Teacher of the Year is B.J. Ivey, history and AP Psychology teacher at Riverview High School.
B.J., who is also the head basketball coach, is a graduate of Riverview High and has extensive knowledge of his school community. His administrator states “B.J. epitomizes our Riverview motto: “Unity, Teamwork and Support”. He is respected by families, teachers, students, and the neighborhood at large.
Mr. Ivey feels that it is his job as an educator to encourage, inspire, and motivate his students. He strives to show genuine interest in his students, really listens and hears them, and then tries to relate their concerns and experiences to what he is teaching.
His success as a teacher is evident in the number of students taking his AP Psychology course and passing the high-stakes test. He began teaching the course in 2013 with less than 50 students. His class enrollment has increased to over 200 students and an additional instructor had to be added. His students’ scores have exceeded the national pass rates for the last several years.
B.J. tries to model & encourage his students to give their best effort, develop a strong work ethic, have an attitude of gratitude, and to focus on the things in life that they can control.
What do these three educators have in common? They are passionate, dedicated and committed to their students and their work. Each of these incredible educators works to ensure our students are prepared to meet the challenges and successes of the 21st century.
Congratulations to each of our Teachers of the Year! Wishing you and all teachers the very best for the 2017-18 school year!
B.J., who is also the head basketball coach, is a graduate of Riverview High and has extensive knowledge of his school community. His administrator states “B.J. epitomizes our Riverview motto: “Unity, Teamwork and Support”. He is respected by families, teachers, students, and the neighborhood at large.
Mr. Ivey feels that it is his job as an educator to encourage, inspire, and motivate his students. He strives to show genuine interest in his students, really listens and hears them, and then tries to relate their concerns and experiences to what he is teaching.
His success as a teacher is evident in the number of students taking his AP Psychology course and passing the high-stakes test. He began teaching the course in 2013 with less than 50 students. His class enrollment has increased to over 200 students and an additional instructor had to be added. His students’ scores have exceeded the national pass rates for the last several years.
B.J. tries to model & encourage his students to give their best effort, develop a strong work ethic, have an attitude of gratitude, and to focus on the things in life that they can control.
What do these three educators have in common? They are passionate, dedicated and committed to their students and their work. Each of these incredible educators works to ensure our students are prepared to meet the challenges and successes of the 21st century.
Congratulations to each of our Teachers of the Year! Wishing you and all teachers the very best for the 2017-18 school year!