Judy Ann DeLucia: Teaching Others To Jump the Hurdles
by Sandy Chase
Sandy Chase is a writer, poet, mentor, and avid nonprofit volunteer. In the contributed article below, she writes about the growth of the Mentoring Program at the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.
The Education Foundation is grateful for Judy Delucia’s altruism as Katie Hurlburt’s mentor. A fellow educator, Judy continues to help her mentee achieve the next level of success, achieving her master’s degree.
Even though Judy owns an educational consulting company providing professional development to administrators and teachers internationally (https://www.seasideedu.com/our-team), she always has time for Katie.
Katie, a second-grade teacher at the Hamlin Elementary School in Winter Garden, Florida, responds:
I gain so much from my mentor. Judy helped me stay on track, stay organized and motivated. She’s been a role model of the educator I want to be! Teaching has been my passion since I was in elementary school. And Judy has set an example of someone with a strong passion and work ethic. Sharing her career path, she’s influenced mine. Judy has also helped me realize that I would like to pursue educational leadership in the future.
Education Foundation’s Resiliency Success Coach/Mentoring Manager Maria Guardado captures Judy’s essence:
Judy has been a devoted mentor with the Education Foundation since 2021. What she brings to the table goes far beyond experience. She leads with compassion, commitment, and a genuine love for guiding our school children. Judy is dedicated to opening doors, creating opportunities, and lighting the path toward a brighter future for so many. Her willingness to collaborate with fellow mentors and community partners is remarkable. The impact of her kindness and guidance is felt by everyone she works with.
Judy kindly shared her experiences that she has had here at the Education Foundation and with Katie:
- How did you learn about Education Foundation?
I learned about the Sarasota Education Foundation through a friend while searching for opportunities to support students. The Foundation’s mission captured me: supporting first-generation students as they access college and secure the resources needed to persist through four years and earn their degrees resonated with me.
Having spent my career in education, including serving as a superintendent in turnaround districts where they take over low-performing schools to implement intensive interventions and dramatically improve student achievement, and seeing students like Katie, an honoree who’s thrived in the program, affirm why I chose to give my time. Their determination, growth, and success reward me.
- What have been Katie’s challenges? Rewards?
Challenges: Katie struggled with organizing her goals and completing the steps necessary to apply to college and for scholarships. Facing significant financial barriers in her pursuit of higher education, she balanced school commitments with meaningful after-school work at a day care, dance studio, and Publix while in high school to cover transportation, college application fees, and senior-year expenses, including band activities and prom.
She also undertook multiple jobs in college, including resident assistant and various campus work-study jobs while continuing at Publix. She worked summer jobs to help pay for books and car expenses, and other bills. Balancing these responsibilities while remaining dedicated to her academics requires perseverance.
Rewards: Despite these challenges, Katie has achieved her goals—focused and determined—which she had established from high school through college.
Katie earned her BS in Education from the University of Central Florida—without incurring debt—an accomplishment because of her commitment to securing scholarships and on-campus college jobs.
Enrolling in additional courses throughout college enabled her to graduate a year earlier. She secured a teaching position at the school where she had been a successful student teacher. The principal and his staff knew what a gem she is!
Katie and boyfriend, Ethan
Katie is thriving in her first year as a second-grade teacher at the Hamlin Elementary School in Winter Garden, Florida.
- What impresses you most about Katie?
Katie exemplifies a rare blend of intelligence, diligence, and an exceptional work ethic. She approaches academics with insight, curiosity, and strong performance, demonstrating responsibility, reliability, and a commitment to helping others. Her ability to excel in school while contributing positively to the community highlights her maturity, strong character, and impressive drive.
- What did a mentoring session look like?
Katie and I would agree on what she wanted help with before meeting. We would schedule a meeting time and date at a Starbucks, close to Northport High. Katie would bring her computer, and we would find a quiet corner to work. We would chat, work on required paperwork for college applications, and apply for scholarships.
Challenges: Coordinating our busy schedules. Katie was committed to school, band, and three part-time jobs—all while enjoying her senior year. Travel is a regular part of my work, so we had to be very creative with scheduling. We were both dedicated to meeting at least monthly in person.
Rewards: Katie is among the most focused, driven, and polite young people I have encountered in my 40 years in education.
Her determination to accomplish every goal she sets, desire to help others, wholehearted participation in family life, and unwavering commitment to planning for the future are remarkable.
We’ve talked about her pursuing an M.Ed. in Leadership and will explore how she can fund her graduate studies through scholarships, grants, and tuition reimbursement. I look forward to supporting her through that journey and watching her career unfold. Katie has all the qualities of an exceptional 21st-century school leader.
Meeting young people with such clarity of purpose, dedication, and drive is uplifting.
- How does your career lend itself to mentoring?
I began my career at 20 years old, since holding numerous positions in public schools, colleges, universities, and educational consulting companies. I have a doctorate in Educational Leadership. My fondest part of this work is collaborating with teachers and students to continue their education, so they become lifelong learners.
- What are your pastimes?
I enjoy cooking, entertaining, reading, spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the beach, traveling, and focusing on wellness.
- What would you tell others who are contemplating volunteering?
Volunteering with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County is incredibly rewarding, offering a meaningful opportunity to help young people grow into the best versions of themselves, achieve their goals, and build the foundation for a life they’ve always dreamed of.