Julie Arasi of Kate Sullivan Elementary is Leon County’s Teacher of the Year.
Third grade teacher Julie Arasi is overwhelmed by the district’s recognition. Superintendent Jackie Pons and dozens of colleagues surprised her with the news in her classroom Thursday.
Arasi is in her eighth year at Kate Sullivan, where she began as a physical education teacher. With the support of her colleagues, Arasi made the jump into the classroom. She says that move changed her life.
“Kate Sullivan faculty is a family. We support each other and hold each other up. And they did that for me when I was transitioning into the classroom and I’m eternally grateful,” she said.
Arasi wants her students to be excited and engaged in their education. Leon County School Board Chair Dee Dee Rasmussen says that enthusiasm is paying off.
“And I spent a bit of time afterward talking to some of her students and they were so excited and every one of them said she is the best teacher ever, we already knew that,” she said.
A committee of school officials and community members selected Arasi from a pool of 42 applicants. She will go on to compete for the Florida Teacher of the Year designation.
