Fayth Jenkins leads Innovation Academy SRQ with focus on equity and student learning

Fayth Jenkins, Head of School at Innovation Academy SRQ in Sarasota, is being highlighted for more than 20 years of education leadership centered on whole-child development, community partnerships, and equitable access. Her work spans classroom teaching, school administration, and board service, with a growing emphasis on project-based learning and innovative student experiences.

Why it matters: - Fayth Jenkins leads Innovation Academy SRQ at a time when schools are under pressure to do more with fewer resources. - Her focus on equity, whole-child development, and community partnerships is aimed at expanding access to stronger learning opportunities for students and families. - Jenkins also represents a leadership pipeline that remains underrepresented by women, especially women of color, in education.

What happened: - Influential Women highlighted Fayth Jenkins, Head of School at Innovation Academy SRQ in Sarasota, Florida, on July 22, 2026. - Jenkins has more than 20 years of experience in education. - Her career has included roles as a classroom teacher, project-based learning coordinator, dean of students, elementary school principal, and Head of School. - Jenkins oversees daily operations at Innovation Academy SRQ, including staffing, compliance, safety, instructional support, and strategic planning.

The details: - Jenkins began her career in early childhood education and later worked across elementary, middle school, and K–8 charter school settings. - She has emphasized project-based learning, student voice, and whole-child development throughout her leadership. - Innovation Academy SRQ has expanded its focus on health and wellness, the arts, and learning environments designed to support creativity and exploration. - Jenkins has supported outdoor and experiential learning spaces that connect classroom lessons to real-world experiences. - She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Nebraska. - Jenkins serves on the boards of AMIkids, the National Math Foundation, and Suncoast Women of Action. - Her leadership development has included participation in Leadership Florida and the Chancellor’s Leadership Academy with the Florida Department of Education. - In 2024, the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools recognized her as a Champion Charter School Leader. - Jenkins’ career advice from an early principal was direct: “You cannot exist on an island.” - She says that lesson pushed her toward collaboration with teachers, families, community members, and other stakeholders.

Between the lines: - Jenkins’ comments point to a leadership style built on resilience, relationship-building, and adaptation rather than control. - Her emphasis on failure as a learning tool suggests a pragmatic approach to school leadership in a resource-constrained environment. - Her focus on math pathways signals an effort to strengthen a subject area that often shapes long-term student opportunity. - The profile also reflects a broader push to elevate women leaders who are trying to reshape school culture from inside the system.

What's next: - Jenkins says young women entering education and leadership should set their own goals, challenge outdated practices, and build with others. - Innovation Academy SRQ is likely to continue prioritizing partnerships, experiential learning, and student-centered programming under her leadership. - Jenkins’ board service and advocacy suggest continued involvement in youth development, educational advancement, and civic engagement.

The bottom line: - Fayth Jenkins is using school leadership to push for more equitable, collaborative, and innovative education models in Sarasota and beyond. - Learn more about Fayth Jenkins