Braden River Elementary principal named county's Principal of the Year

Joshua Bennett, the principal at Braden River Elementary School, has been named the School District of Manatee County's Principal of the Year. 

The award recognizes exemplary school administrators for their contributions to their schools and communities and honors those who have led initiatives to increase student performance, promote safe learning environments and establish partnerships with parents and community members. 

Bennett, who has served as the principal of Braden River Elementary since 2019, now is eligible for the Florida Department of Education's Principal of the Year program. 

Bennett has been with the district since 1999, previously serving as principal of William H. Bashaw Elementary School as well as an assistant principal at Bayshore and Kinnan elementary schools. 

He also served as an Exceptional Student Education teacher at Virgil Mills, Bashaw and Oneco elementary schools.