Sarasota Educator Finalist For FL Principal Of Year Award

VENICE, FL — A Sarasota County educator could be the 2022 Florida Principal of the Year.

Amy Archer, the principal at Garden Elementary School in Venice, is one of three finalists for the annual award.

The two other finalists are Carolyn Davis, principal at Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School in Duval County, and Jenni Ellis, principal at Everglades Elementary School in Okeechobee County.

“Today we celebrate and elevate your leadership and the positive impact you have on your schools and communities,” the Florida Department of Education said in a Facebook post announcing the finalists Wednesday.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Archer! We are so proud of you! It sure is GREAT to be a Garden Gator,” the elementary school posted on Facebook.

Sarasota County Schools also shared the news, saying, “We are so incredibly proud.”

According to the Venice Gondolier, Archer was inspired by her brother, who has Down syndrome, to become a teacher.

A graduate of Venice High School, her first teaching position was at Venice Elementary in 1999. She taught at several district elementary schools, before landing at Garden Elementary, where she was an instructional and data coach. She went on to become assistant principal and principal at Glenallen Elementary, before moving back to Garden.

Archer was named the districtwide Principal of the Year for 2022 in November.

Watch district leaders surprise Archer at Garden Elementary in November to tell that she is the 2022 Principal of the Year in Sarasota County: