Congratulations to Our Teacher of the Year: Liz Shannon!
We're thrilled to announce Liz Shannon as our Teacher of the Year!
A Sarasota County native, Liz has spent the last 15 years shaping young minds at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. As the 8th Grade Team Leader, she currently teaches Civics, Reading, and Speech & Debate — bringing energy, expertise, and genuine care to every classroom she walks into.
Beyond her role at SSAS, Liz serves as the Gulf Coast Regional Ambassador for the Florida Debate Initiative, where she directs speech and debate tournaments throughout the area. She also coaches an incredible group of students who are headed to the State Championships this April — a testament to her dedication both inside and outside the classroom.
Liz's impact doesn't stop there. For the past 15 years, she has sponsored the school's anime club and helped bring SSAS Toracon, an anime convention, to life right on campus.
Congratulations, Liz — you embody everything this award stands for. Thank you for all you do!
In her own words:
"I couldn't be more touched to be nominated for this award. Thank you to the community and Hale Law for supporting our kids and our teachers!"
Hale Helps™ Teacher of the Year 2025
We’re thrilled to announce Amanda Bertrand as our Hale Helps™ Teacher of the Year 2025! With 19 years of dedicated service in education—spanning from South Carolina to Charlotte and Manatee County—Amanda has left an incredible mark on countless young minds. Her passion for teaching began in childhood and has only grown stronger with time, most recently completing her 10th year teaching Kindergarten. Amanda brings creativity, heart, and a commitment to helping every student reach their potential. As the wife of a firefighter/paramedic and a proud mom of two, she embodies service in and out of the classroom. We’re honored to send her on a well-deserved cruise to celebrate the amazing teachers shaping our future!
Honorable Mentions
Shannon Davis
Mrs. Shannon Davis is a 2nd grade teacher and Elementary Team Leader at Sarasota Academy of the Arts.
She received her Bachelors of Science from the University of South Florida. She loves to bake and take her dog for walks after school.
Derek Reich
Derek is a 12th grade economics teacher at Sarasota High. He has taught at SHS since 2020. He was born and raised in Sarasota County and attended k-12 in Sarasota County Schools. Derek became a teacher to help students the same way his former teachers helped him.
Gerlie Fout
A committed and enthusiastic educator at Sarasota Military Academy with nearly 29 years of experience. This teacher has inspired and encouraged students at levels ranging from elementary school to university in the Philippines, China, and the US to pursue academic excellence. This teacher's commitment to creating engaging lessons and supportive classroom environments for diverse students is impressive.
Crystal Montuori
My name is Crystal Montuori and I have worked at Sarasota Military Academy Prep for six years. I have been teaching English and Language Arts for twenty years. I grew up here in Sarasota and attended college at both Eckerd College in St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida in Tampa. I have a B.A. in Literature with certification for English grades 6-12, ESOL K-12, and Reading K-12. I also have an M.A. in Applied Linguistics/TESL. My teaching experience includes 6th - 12th grade Language Arts and English, as well as ESOL at University - in both the United States and Vietnam.