The inaugural award is presented to retired educator Susan Sullivan for her championship in helping launch the Future Career Academy at Plant City High School in 2015 under her leadership as principal.
At the school principals meeting on Nov. 8, the Workforce Development Partners Corp team, along with School District officials, presented an inaugural award to longtime educator Susan Sullivan.
Named for her, the Susan Redman Sullivan Workforce Development Champion Award recognizes the strong commitment and deep relationship Sullivan had with both her students and community. During Principal Sullivan’s tenure, the Future Career Academy, a program that seeks to advance and promote students who otherwise may not pursue higher education post-graduation, was launched at Plant City High School (PCHS) in 2015 in cooperation with local businesses and community leaders.
After 41 years in education, including eight years as Principal at PCHS, Sullivan was honored for her impact on many within the Plant City community at her retirement celebration at the close of the 2022-2023 school year. Her career included classroom teacher, guidance counselor, assistant Principal of curriculum, and Principal of Marshall Middle School and Tomlin Middle School before serving eight years as Principal of Plant City High School. While at Marshall, she was named Middle School Principal of the Year by the Hillsborough Council of PTA/PTSA. She stated that for as long as she can remember, she always wanted to be an educator. While at Tomlin, Sullivan emphasized community service and introducing programs that promote accountability and healthy relationships. She put in place the practice of “Be Nice, Be Noticed,” a program that recognizes students for their positive actions. In her time at Plant City as a teacher, an administrator, and a principal, Sullivan highlighted the support the school always received from the local community. As Principal, she says that she’s most proud of their graduation rate, a number that jumped 10 points in her tenure, the five state championships that the Raiders won under her watch, the installation of a brand-new turf football field, the establishment of a business advisory board that has helped open the door for students to transition into the workforce, and the Raider Champions Foundation, an organization that works to build a partnership between the school and its community donors.
“Susan Sullivan’s legacy embodies her unwavering commitment to whatever is best for students,” said Yvonne Fry, Future Career Academy CEO. “This award in her honor will preserve that legacy across the entire school district as other teachers and administrators are inspired to be champions for workforce development and are able to more fully prepare students for life.”
In the future, annual recipients of the Susan Redman Sullivan Workforce Development Champion Award will be chosen based on their commitment to and support of workforce development initiatives that benefit our community’s students, organizations, and school district.
