Terry Connor is the superintendent of Sarasota County Schools in Florida. The district serves more than 46,000 students. Connor was previously deputy superintendent for Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida, the nation’s seventh-largest school system.

As deputy superintendent, Connor directed efforts aligned to the district’s strategic plan; facilitated curriculum, instruction, and assessment support services; and monitored student achievement. During his tenure, the district improved its state academic ranking from 35th to 19th; achieved a record-high graduation rate; increased the number of students earning industry recognized certifications to lead the state in this category; and reduced the number of persistently low-performing schools. In addition, Connor expanded dual language and Spanish immersion programs and increased access to rigorous coursework.

Prior to Hillsborough County, Connor was with Clay County District Schools, also in Florida, where he served as chief academic officer and chief of secondary education. He led efforts to expand choice options at every grade level, which resulted in greater access to accelerated coursework for students in underrepresented subgroups.

Connor began his career as a science teacher and also worked as a principal and assistant principal. He has a master’s of administration and management from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s from the University of North Florida.