06-05-2025
West Lee Middle School principal receives innovation award
SANFORD — Aimee Petrarca has made a career out of building thriving school cultures rooted in data, collaboration and care.
On Monday, May 5, she was named the recipient of the Kloud-12 Innovation Award for Empowerment Through Professional Learning, honoring her impact on students and educators across the district.
Kloud-12 is a classroom safety and teacher-centered video platform, according to its website.
'This year, nominations poured in from across the state, each highlighting the outstanding work taking place in our public schools. Among them, Ms. Petrarca stood out for her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to educators and students alike,' said Gabriela Bravo-Chigwere, Kloud-12's enablement & operations coordinator. 'She was selected as the winner in the category for which she was nominated.'
Petrarca served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal of elementary schools before coming to West Lee Middle School.
'She didn't have to take on a new challenge at this stage in her career, but that's just who she is,' Superintendent Chris Dossenbach said. 'She's a competitor, she's all-in for Lee County, and she leads with purpose.'
Now in her first full year at West Lee, Petrarca is seeing gains in every measurable area, a release states. But those who work with her say her secret isn't just high expectations—it's how she brings people along with her.
At the core of Petrarca's leadership is a data-driven approach grounded in student outcomes. She cuts through the noise to help teachers make sense of complex data, guiding them with clarity, urgency and support.
'Data doesn't lie,' Dossenbach noted. 'And Aimee uses it to move the conversation forward. She helps educators see where they are—and where they can go.'
But behind the numbers is a leader with heart. 'Her outer shell can seem tough, but she has a heart of gold,' he added. 'She looks every student in the eye, asks how they're doing, and brings back the fun—pep rallies, school spirit, the joy of being a middle schooler. She understands that school culture matters just as much as academic outcomes.'
Those sentiments were echoed by Vicki Haislip, a former principal who worked closely with Petrarca at Greenwood Elementary School.
Haislip said that Petrarca stands out for her courage to act—especially when it involves difficult conversations and uncomfortable changes needed to benefit students.
Haislip also noted Petrarca's collaborative leadership style. Rather than imposing expectations from a distance, Petrarca works alongside her staff, creating an environment where high standards feel shared and contagious. This approach, Haislip observed, helps transform complacency into a collective drive for excellence, with Petrarca modeling the work she expects from others.
Patricia Coldren, a long-time colleague and friend, recalled that even as a student, Petrarca was known for her competitive spirit and commitment to excellence—traits that now fuel her leadership.
She praised Petrarca for seeing beyond academic achievement, emphasizing her focus on developing students' soft skills, character and citizenship.
Both Haislip and Coldren highlighted Petrarca's authenticity as a key reason she connects so deeply with students, staff and families. She lives out her values openly and consistently, earning respect and trust through her actions.
In a profession where authenticity can sometimes be rare, Petrarca's example shines as a model of integrity and purpose, according to the release.
