Sascha Hyer has always believed that relationships come first. “For me, it’s about building trust with students. Once you’ve got that, you can teach anything,” he says. That student-first approach, combined with his leadership in the classroom and on the field, recently earned Hyer one of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Ripple Effect Teacher Awards.
The award honors five exceptional Sarasota County educators each spring and fall and recognizes teachers who make a lasting impact in and out of the classroom. Hyer, who teaches government and social studies and coaches both football and girls weightlifting at Venice High School, was surprised with the award in May during a classroom visit by school and foundation leaders. The honor includes a $5,000 gift from the Foundation.
A Maryland native, Hyer grew up a student-athlete in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. “Sports were my ticket to college,” he says. “Without them, I probably would’ve gone into the service.” He earned a scholarship to Shepherd College in West Virginia, where his football career led him to coaching positions at several universities before eventually settling in Florida. Hyer has been at Venice High for 13 years and is now in his 30th year of coaching football. He also serves as head coach of the girls weightlifting team, which has claimed multiple county championships and the school’s first FHSAA district title.
In the classroom, Hyer is known for keeping things real. “I teach seniors, so I try to prepare them for the real world. Nobody’s going to care if you’re having relationship issues—you still have to show up and do the job.” His government classes cover the U.S. Constitution, major Supreme Court cases, and civic responsibility, with a focus on making it relevant to students’ lives today. “I want to open their eyes,” he says. “Whether it’s about privacy in the digital age or why voting matters, it’s about making connections.”
Hyer reaches far beyond the athletic field. “I see all kinds of students—those in marching band, drama, choir. Venice does a great job encouraging kids to get involved in something they love,” he says.
Venice High Principal Zoltan Kerestely, who nominated Hyer for the award, said, “Sascha understands the importance of a well-rounded education and helps to bridge the worlds of athletics, academics, and the arts in a way that enriches our students’ experiences. I believe that he embodies the values that Chuck and Margie Barancik wanted to celebrate.”
For Hyer, the goal remains simple. “If just one student learns something each day, I’ve done my job.”