Jenny Infanti: Her Educational Compass Points to Success
by Sandy Chase
Sandy Chase is a writer, poet, mentor, and avid nonprofit volunteer. In the contributed article below, she interviews board member Jenny Infanti.
Jenny Infanti provides the direction of success so students stay on the right path. Sharing the spotlight with others, she’s dedicated to the Sarasota community, children, teachers, and other volunteers. Having worked as an educator in Sarasota for over 20 years, she has strong ties to organizations, such as the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, where she’s a board member.
She also presides over Holiday House SRQ, an organization focused on giving crucial resources to four Title 1 elementary schools: Wilkinson, Alta Vista, Brentwood and Emma E. Booker.
Recognized for her experience, expertise, and especially dedication, Jenny was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to the board of Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County (ELC). Fellow member Tiffany Barfield, a government affairs director at Yes. Every kid. Foundation. is honored to serve with her, saying that the governor made the right choice:
“Jenny brings exceptional value to the ELC through her remarkable community leadership. Co-founder of Holiday House SRQ, she’s demonstrated a profound commitment to local students and teachers—a testament to her significant contributions and understanding of local educational resources. She’s also making a difference by serving on ELC’s governance and finance committees.”
Education Foundation Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Glendening praises Jenny’s commitment:
“She wears her heart for students and teachers on her sleeve. Jenny has helped us make new connections in the community and raise funds and gifts for teachers. She embodies our mission.”
Principal Dr. Mindy Long of Alta Vista is grateful that Holiday House continues to improve educational opportunities at her school:
“Jenny goes above and beyond by accommodating the school and teachers to ensure that everything is prepared and organized so teachers can focus on their students and instruction. She has also supported us with new uniforms, warm clothing, and shoes to ensure that students can succeed without stress. Just when we thought she couldn’t do more, Jenny organized a complimentary faculty/staff lunch to show her gratitude.”
Jenny also appreciates that former fellow Education Foundation board member and Executive Director of Communications & Business Development Anne Rollings at Watershed Hospitality Concepts has supported their endeavors by providing teachers with gift certificates to their restaurants.
It’s easy to see how Jenny’s dedication and gratitude ensure that our Sarasota students will continue to follow her compass: (1) Navigate through life’s obstacles; (2) Strive for achievement; (3) Empower yourself; (4) Walk to success.
How did you learn about the Education Foundation of Sarasota County?
I learned about the organization as a sixth-grade teacher at Sarasota Middle School, inquiring about EdExplore grants. The Foundation’s mission to serve public school K-12 students inspired me, and I knew I wanted to volunteer.
When you began volunteering at Education Foundation in 2016, what did you do?
I read STRIVE scholarship and grant applications, supported the awards luncheon, and joined a task force on creative problem-solving to elevate the county’s post-secondary completion rate of degrees, certificate programs, and trade schools. In 2020, I was honored when President & CEO Jennifer Vigne invited me to become a board member, since renewed in 2023.
What have been some of your commitments?
Besides my initial commitments, I mentored a STRIVE student, who overcame a challenging childhood to graduate from Pine View with more than a year’s worth of college credit, earning her BA in three years. She’s now an actuary.
I’ve chaired the Teacher of the Year committee, planning the event and recognizing each school’s Teacher of the Year. Teacher retention is a crucial component in our district maintaining its A rating, so it’s vital that all teachers are recognized and awarded for their efforts.
How has your career made you a perfect candidate to serve on the board?
The Foundation’s motto is “We believe education changes lives.” I couldn’t agree more.
Besides teaching ELA to sixth graders, I worked at USF’s College of Education (Sarasota-Manatee) for five years, advising students, so my exposure to faculty, students, and internship curriculum helped me round out my perspective about education and gave me a solid footing with which to serve on the board. I’m also a substitute teacher.
My experiences also enable me to contribute to planning for Future-Ready, the Foundation’s post-secondary planning program. The goal is for each high school student to have a plan and a purpose to be ready for post-graduation life.
What impresses you about the board members?
They bring diverse perspectives. We have many business professionals who look for ways to network and expand. I’m impressed by our teacher and student representatives because their voice is vital to understanding our district needs.
Is there any topic you typically initiate during a board discussion? Why?
Investing in early childhood is crucial because we can elevate our community over the next few decades. If 100% of our children are “ready for kindergarten,” then the likelihood of graduating from high school skyrockets, having a ripple effect for generations.
Children “ready” for kindergarten are more likely to be on grade level for reading in third grade, the critical year of testing. Third-grade reading can predict eighth-grade reading levels, indicators of a likeliness to graduate from high school and pursue a post-secondary certificate, program, or degree. If students are successful early on, fewer resources are needed for intervention, retention, and graduation.
How do you feel that Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed you to the ELC?
I’m grateful for this appointment because my work in education and emphasis on early intervention have come full circle. I’m excited about volunteering at ELC’s sponsored Storybook Street, a free literacy-meets-the-arts extravaganza. It’s exciting that the event helps foster an early love of reading.
Tell us about your other volunteering.
I’ve mentored in the RISE reading program at Emma E. Booker. For the Rockin’ Readers program, I read to Wilkinson second graders, helping them with their literacy skills while encouraging a love of reading.
I volunteer weekly in the Pine View School front office (my two children’s school). I also serve on the School Advisory Committee, help coordinate the Veterans Day celebration and assist in other ventures—whatever the school needs.
I’m a strong advocate for the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab, where my son has been immersed in their STEM programs for six years. Jenn Scott, a past Education Foundation employee, was recruited by former board member Ping Faulhaber to run the Fab Lab.
How do you encourage others to volunteer?
I’m always recruiting friends to join various programs, such as History Day, STEM Fair, STRIVE awards, Teacher of the Year, Rockin’ Readers, and RISE.
What are your hobbies?
I’m an avid reader and love craft projects, especially sewing quilts.
Tell us about Holiday House, your nonprofit.
Like Education Foundation, Holiday House focuses on improving educational opportunities for underserved students.
In 2021, I co-founded the organization with Sepi Ackerman. We ran Holiday House for Southside Elementary’s PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) and decided to expand to a Title I school. We’ve found ways to provide needed resources for underprivileged students. I’m grateful that donors and
local foundations help us support these students—while providing a joyous holiday experience—so a lack of everyday articles doesn’t have to interfere with their education.
We hope to foster community support at all Title I schools, believing that equal opportunity is key to education.