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Pinellas educators receive special recognition from Magnet Schools of America
Jan. 29, 2025
Magnet Schools of America (MSA) is honoring two PCS educators for their dedication and commitment to excellence. Shannon Brennan of Mildred Helms Elementary IB World School was named Region III Principal of the Year and Pamela A. Richardson of Sandy Lane Elementary Conservatory for the Arts was named Region III Teacher of the Year.
Brennan and Richardson will be recognized at the MSA conference in Nashville in April. Region III includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Brennan's award recognizes exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and profound impact within the magnet school community. Richardson's honor recognizes an unwavering commitment to excellence in education and dedication to fostering an inclusive and innovative learning environment for students.
Director, Student Demographics, Assignment, and School Capacity Ellen Truskowski praised Brennan for her collaborative, unassuming and impactful leadership style.
Through her efforts in professional development, direct student support, recruitment, and tireless advocacy for her school and students, "Shannon (Brennan) has built a culture of excellence that inspires those around her to achieve greatness," Truskowski said. "Her leadership has brought program sustainability to new heights."
Brennan was appointed principal of Mildred Helms in 2014 after serving as assistant principal at Mildred Helms. She joined Pinellas County Schools in 1995 and served as a teacher and instructional coach at Pinellas Park Elementary School. She also served as an instructional coach and assistant principal at Belleair Elementary School. Brennan initiated efforts to develop the IB magnet program, oversaw initial IB authorization, and most recently the school's five-year reauthorization. At the five-year mark, one evaluator commented that what she observed at Mildred Helms resembled what she typically saw at schools 10-14 years into IB implementation.
Truskowski called Richardson a conductor of school transformation, prioritizing achievement and accountability while maintaining a steady commitment to arts opportunities for students.
"Under Pamela’s leadership, Sandy Lane Elementary’s Conservatory for the Arts has become a symphony of success, earning its recent 'A' rating and transforming lives through the arts. Her ability to unite vision, passion, and expertise has left an indelible mark on the school, the community, and the students who benefit from her efforts every day," said Truskowski.
Before joining the conservatory, Richardson served as the first African-American President of the Pinellas County Music Educators Association. She also served on the board of the Florida Music Educators Association as the World Music Awareness Chair. In 2015, she was the Elementary Music Teacher of the Year and in 2017, she was the first African-American Coordinator of the Elementary All-County Honors Music Festival. Her responsibilities at the Conservatory include running the arts magnet, coaching teachers in arts integration, and overseeing the arts departments that make up the Conservatory.
The announcement comes on the heels of Pinellas earning 23 Merit Awards from MSA, the highest number in district history.