School foundation hosts annual Collegium on island
In collaboration with the School District of Lee County, The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools hosted its annual Collegium for the Advancement of Education on June 15-19 on Captiva.
The professional development retreat brought together a group of outstanding educators for an experience dedicated to growth, connection and appreciation.
Twenty-four teachers, including the six 2026 Golden Apple Award recipients, and two administrators took part in the program designed to empower and recognize teachers who go above and beyond in their classrooms. Held at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina, Collegium offered a blend of professional enrichment and well-earned relaxation in a supportive, inspiring environment.
Throughout the week, the participants engaged in a series of workshops and collaborative sessions focused on innovative teaching strategies, student engagement and educational leadership. Each attendee earned 40 hours of service learning, contributing to their professional development goals.
“The week was filled with great learning, meaningful connections being made, networking and fun,” foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Marshall T. Bower said. “These educators represent the best of the best and their dedication to the students they teach was apparent.”
In the evenings, the participants enjoyed beachside relaxation and social events, including dinners at local restaurants such as RC Otter’s Island Eats and Cantina Captiva, along with a memorable cruise to Cabbage Key.
The retreat concluded with a celebratory dinner that brought together current and former Golden Apple recipients, foundation board members, business partners and sponsors — Suncoast Credit Union and the Fred & Jean Allegretti Foundation — all united in their support of Lee County’s educators.
The foundation extended a heartfelt thank you to ‘Tween Waters for hosting the group’s stay and a special thank you to Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group owner and Chief Executive Officer Sandy Stilwell Youngquist for her hospitality and continued support of Collegium. It also voiced appreciation for Salty Wheels for providing golf cart transportation, The Mucky Duck and Green Flash for their dining experiences, and Captiva Cruises for helping to create memorable moments during the retreat.
In addition, the foundation extended sincere gratitude to its major Golden Apple sponsors, including Chico’s FAS, FineMark Bank & Trust, Gulf Coast News, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee Health, McDonald’s, Owen-Ames-Kimball, Suffolk, The News-Press and Waste Pro.