Positive Change for a Positive Future

Biography

Sonja Bennett was born and raised in Hardee County and grew up in Bowling Green. She was a student at Bowling Green Elementary, Hardee Junior High, and Hardee Senior High where she graduated in 1984. With the investment of many hometown teachers, and the academic foundation provided in the Hardee County school system, she went off to college after graduation.

Working her way through college, she attended and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Polk Community College in Winter Haven, then later a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of South Florida. Her commitment to learning didn’t stop there as she pursued further education, earning a Master of Arts degree in School Guidance and Counseling from Nova University, followed by a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership.

Her career in education began as a school guidance counselor where she gained valuable experience at all levels of education, from elementary to high school. Having an interest in leadership led her to transition into school administration. She served as Assistant Principal at Hardee Junior High and North Wauchula Elementary before becoming a principal at North Wauchula Elementary, where she and her staff achieved remarkable success, including an A school grade for three of the four years she was principal.

Her tenure at Wauchula Elementary continued this success, with the school regularly earning an A or B grade under her leadership. During her ten-year stent at WES, not only did she focus on academic achievement, but she also spearheaded initiatives to increase technology resources and fostered a positive school culture.

In her current role as Director of the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Heartland Center, Sonja continues to make a difference in education. Working across multiple small and rural counties, she and her team provide crucial support and training to ensure that students with disabilities have access to quality instruction. During her time at FDLRS, she has become qualified to provide training in several aspects of educational policy as it relates to students with disabilities. She enjoys working with district leaders, school teams, individual teachers, and families as she works to support educational outcomes.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Sonja and husband Bobby Bennett are proud parents to two adult children, Will and Emily. In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, birdwatching, and crafting. Her personal and professional achievements are a testament to her unwavering commitment to education and the betterment of the profession.