Inaugural FGCU College of Education Collaboration Partnership Award Presented to the Principal of The Bayshore School
The Bayshore School Principal Ben Ausman is the inaugural Collaboration Partnership Award winner from the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) College of Education. Ausman was recognized for his outstanding commitment to preparing and supporting future teachers.
“Thank you to FGCU’s College of Education for this honor,” Ben Ausman said. “Welcoming interns to Bayshore has been a positive experience for students and staff. The investment made in our interns will provide high quality teachers to the School District of Lee County for years to come.”
This newly established award honors an educational leader who exemplifies excellence in fostering meaningful field experiences for teacher candidates through deep collaboration with FGCU’s College of Education. As the first-ever recipient, Principal Ausman sets a high bar for this prestigious distinction.
At The Bayshore School, Principal Ausman provides a model environment where teacher candidates feel valued and inspired to grow. Each year, the school hosts over 200 students on Introduction to the Teaching Profession Visits, allowing students to explore the teaching profession and determine if it is the right path for them. Teacher candidates at all levels of preparation are welcomed at the site, which is consistently among the most highly selected placements by FGCU students.
Principal Ausman is an early champion of FGCU’s innovative FLIER Program, in which interns split their time between a traditional internship and a paid teaching experience — an approach that affirms the worth of teacher candidates as both future educators and valued employees. He fosters a supportive professional culture and convenes weekly group meetings with interns to deliver professional development, facilitate open dialogue, and provide personalized mentoring and support. His leadership helps build the confidence and competence of future teachers, while strengthening the local educator pipeline.
“The Collaboration Partnership Award was created in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University to recognize exceptional leadership in preparing future educators,” said Inez Mata, Talent Acquisition Coordinator for The School District of Lee County. “We are thrilled that Principal Ausman was honored as the first recipient. His vision, dedication, and collaboration make a lasting difference in the lives of our teacher candidates — and ultimately, in classrooms across our community.”
The School District of Lee County is proud to celebrate Principal Ausman’s selection for this inaugural award and commends his ongoing commitment to the future of education in Lee County.