When you sit down with Beverly Koski, it doesn’t take long to understand why she has made such a lasting impact on Sarasota County.
Over lunch, Beverly shared stories from a life shaped by education, family, and a deep belief in the potential of every child. Thoughtful and gracious, she spoke with the quiet confidence of someone who has spent decades investing in others. There was a twinkle in her eye throughout the conversation—and a firm insistence that everyone order dessert before the meal was over.
Beverly’s connection to the Education Foundation of Sarasota County stretches back to the very beginning. As a founding member of the board, she helped build the organization during its earliest days, when resources were scarce but enthusiasm was abundant.
“I remember sitting on the lawn of the high school because we didn’t have a place to meet,” she recalled. “We had a great time just figuring it out.”
Those early conversations laid the groundwork for an organization that has transformed educational opportunities for thousands of students and teachers across Sarasota County. Beverly was also instrumental in helping establish the Foundation’s teacher grants program, which remains one of the organization’s signature initiatives today.
Her commitment to education began long before the Foundation existed. Beverly taught fifth and sixth grade for four years and also worked as a substitute teacher. Her philosophy was simple but powerful: every child arrives with potential.
“I love children,” she said. “They come with the tools.”
Throughout her teaching career, she believed that educators must help students discover and pursue their own dreams. That perspective continues to guide her thinking today. She believes children should be encouraged to imagine possibilities for their future and that adults have a responsibility to listen carefully to what young people are trying to communicate.
“Children should have dreams—they should know what their dreams are,” she said. “You have to step back. What is the child really saying?”
Beverly’s dedication to education was shared by her late husband, Robert “Bob” Koski, co-founder of Sun Hydraulics. While their interests were often different—Beverly loves literature, history, music, and the arts, while Bob was an engineer—their commitment to education was a common theme.
Asked about their contrasting interests, Beverly laughed and joked, “One of us was right and the other was wrong!” Then she added with a smile, “We complemented each other.”
Their family’s commitment to education continues today. Their son, Tom Koski, remains an active supporter of the Education Foundation and has played an important role in helping shape the organization’s current momentum.
Beverly’s memories are filled with stories that reveal her warmth and sense of humor. One favorite involves meeting Bob before they were married. She and a friend rented a room in a house, and Bob happened to live next door. Whenever something needed fixing, he was the helpful neighbor they turned to for assistance.
One evening, while everyone was gathered for dinner, Bob casually asked the room, “Does anyone want to go to a concert tomorrow?”
“Well, he asked the whole room,” Beverly remembered. “I wasn’t about to raise my hand!”
Only later did her friends tell her they all knew exactly who he had intended to invite.
As she reflected on her experiences, Beverly emphasized the importance of listening, learning, and staying open to new ideas.
“Listen to the advice that’s given to you along the way,” she said. “You don’t have to take it!”
It is advice that reflects the wisdom she has gained through decades of service, leadership, and community involvement.
Today, the Education Foundation continues to evolve and grow, addressing the changing needs of students, educators, and families. Yet many of the values that shaped the organization in its earliest days remain unchanged: a belief in opportunity, a commitment to supporting teachers, and a conviction that every child deserves the chance to succeed.
Those values were present when Beverly sat on a high school lawn with fellow founders imagining what the Foundation could become. They remain visible today in the programs, partnerships, and people who carry that vision forward.
For Sarasota County, her legacy continues to make a difference every day.