August, 2024

     Hello!  My name is Sonja Darden and I am thrilled to be entering my 30th year of teaching kindergarten.  I was born in South Florida and adopted at three months of age.  At age two, my family moved to Tallahassee. My parents and younger sister continue to live in Tallahassee and sometimes even volunteer in my classroom! I graduated from Leon High School. 
     I earned my Early Childhood degree at Florida State University. Soon after, I completed my Masters degree at FAMU in Elementary Education.  My early years of teaching were spent in Perry, Florida at Perry Primary School.  I transferred to Leon County in 1998 and started teaching at Fort Braden School.  I earned my National Certification in the Early Childhood Generalist area in 1999.  I was named Teacher of the Year at Fort Braden in 2000. 
     I joined the Buck Lake family in 2005 to work closer to home.  I love being a Bobcat!  Our school is an amazing place where children are able to grow to their fullest potential!  Kindergarten children take their first peek at "big school" on orientation day, and the rest of the year is spent learning, laughing, and making lasting friendships.  I feel blessed that parents give me one year with their children to help mold them into life-long learners.
     I like to spend my spare time cooking, reading, going to the movies, and working in my garden. I am excited about the upcoming school year. I look forward to lots of learning and having fun along the way.

Education and Accomplishments

1994 Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education- FSU

1997 Masters Degree in Elementary Education- FAMU

1999 National Board Certified- Early Childhood Generalist

2000 Teacher of the Year at Fort Braden School

2014 ESOL Endorsed

2019 Reading Endorsed