Kari Johnson, a kindergarten teacher in her 15th year at Fruitville Elementary School, was named the 2021 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year at the annual celebration of educators hosted by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. Johnson will represent district educators throughout the 2021 calendar year and will serve as the district’s nominee for state Teacher of the Year. The Education Foundation presented Johnson with a $2,500 cash award and finalists Samantha Miller, Emily O’BrienSwope and Becky Satterly  with awards of $1,250, respectively. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's awards presentation took place virtually.