As Braden River High Band Director Clifford Dawson, a finalist for the Educator of the Year award, awaited the final results Feb. 4 at Manatee Technical College, a lot of thoughts ran through his mind.
He wanted to win, of course, but he also thought any of the other three finalists were very deserving.
Stacy Freeman, the 2025 Educator of the Year, then made the announcement…