Venice-Nokomis Rotary Names Christine Lawton-Clark as 2025 Teacher of the Year

Venice-Nokomis Rotary Names Christine Lawton-Clark as 2025 Teacher of the Year
The Venice-Nokomis Rotary is proud to announce Christine Lawton-Clark of Taylor Ranch Elementary School as the recipient of the 2025 Teacher of the Year Award. Now in its 35th year, this prestigious honor is awarded annually to an outstanding educator in South Sarasota County, nominated by peers and selected by a Rotary committee in recognition of exceptional service, dedication, and impact in the classroom and beyond.
Christine Lawton-Clark exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a professional educator and lifelong learner. For 28 years, she has dedicated her career to teaching K-2 exceptional student education (ESE), with 27 of those years proudly spent at Taylor Ranch Elementary. Her classroom includes students with autism, developmental delays, physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and behavioral challenges—yet under her care, these students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Mrs. Lawton-Clark was born with cerebral palsy, a personal challenge she has never let define her limits or dampen her spirit. Though she no longer drives and now uses a walker for mobility, she remains a daily, unwavering presence in her classroom—an inspiration to colleagues and students alike. Her commitment to her students goes beyond curriculum; it is a commitment to possibility, dignity, and empowerment.
"Christine doesn't just teach her students—they grow with her," said Taylor Ranch Elementary Principal, Tara Spielman, who nominated her. "She sees their potential even when others don’t, because she knows firsthand how easy it is to be underestimated. She walks in their shoes every day."
Stepping into her classroom, visitors will notice a calm, highly structured, and peaceful learning environment. Students are actively engaged in standards-based instruction, and the results speak for themselves: significant progress in academic performance, behavior, and social development.
As this year's Teacher of the Year, Christine Lawton-Clark reminds us all that great educators do more than teach—they lead with empathy, courage, and resilience. She is not only shaping young minds but also shaping a more inclusive and compassionate community.
The Venice-Nokomis Rotary congratulates Mrs. Lawton-Clark on this well-deserved recognition and thanks all educators across South Sarasota County for their unwavering dedication to excellence.