GALLERY: Sarasota County Teacher of the Year

Cindy Kaiser, executive director of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Teacher of the Year Melissa Owens and Patty Brustad, program coordinator

Kaitlyn Terpstra, Pine View High School, sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Lexi, Jennifer, Jeffrey and Madison Kahler

Karen Johns, Lakeview Elementary, raised her glass in a toast to teachers.

Casey Collier, Carrie Collier and Kelly Ellington

Sonia Figaredo-Alberts and Robin Majac

Andrew Owens, Betsy Asheim-Dean and Susan Wilhelm

Michelle Kloese and Cindy Kaiser, executive director of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County

Seth Gardner, Woodland Middle School, was awarded 2010-2011 teacher of the year.

Melissa Owens embraced her father, Kenneth Fake, as soon as she heard she'd won.