Tonya Whitehurst is a dedicated educator and leader with a lifelong passion for student success. She earned her B.A. in Mathematics in Education from the University of North Florida in 1993, followed by an M.A.T. in Integrated Learning and Educational Technology from Jacksonville University in 2001. In 2006, she furthered her expertise with a degree in Educational Leadership.

Tonya began her career as a mathematics teacher in Palatka, FL, serving 11 years in the classroom before becoming a Reading Coach. In 2005, she moved into administration, spending a decade as a school leader before advancing to the district level in 2015. Today, she serves as Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations, where she focuses on creating effective systems of work, strengthening leadership, and ensuring a premier workforce for the district.

She has facilitated and spoken at numerous state and national conferences, sharing her experience and commitment to educational excellence.

Outside of work, Tonya enjoys traveling with her husband, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, and spending time with her grandchildren. She is also active in her church, where she is involved with the youth ministry and teaches women’s Bible studies. Whether in education, ministry, or community life, she is guided by a core belief: every day offers an opportunity to make a lasting difference.

Her message to educators is simple yet powerful: "There is no other profession that has the ability to impact the future the way education does. Every single day, you have the opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life—and in doing so, you are shaping the future."

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Sarajean McDaniel serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Development for Putnam County School District. In this role, she is the director of all 13 schools in the district, while also supporting and mentoring school administrators and guiding aspiring leaders. Now in her 30th year with PCSD, Sarajean brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, and elementary school administrator.

A former kindergarten teacher at heart, she is passionate about building strong relationships with students, families, staff, and school leaders. In 2020, she was honored as Florida Principal of the Year for her commitment to school improvement and student success. Beyond her daily responsibilities, she has also been involved in the planning and design of new school builds, helping ensure that spaces reflect the needs of students and staff.

Sarajean is especially dedicated to fostering positive school cultures where students and educators feel celebrated, supported, and motivated to thrive. Outside of work, she enjoys thrifting, finding creative outlets, and bringing her signature “sparkle” to everything she does.