Fourth-graders mourning teacher make it through FCATs Stephen Foster Elementary School teacher killed in collision on Interstate 95

By Rafael A. Olmeda and Sallie James

South Florida Sun Sentinel

FORT LAUDERDALE

FCAT testing for fourth-graders today. This is when it counts. No exceptions. Not even for Sharon Braun's fourth-grade class at Stephen Foster Elementary School.

Braun, 58, was killed Monday in an accident on Interstate 95. A day later, her students put their tears aside to concentrate on the test, as they are sure she would have wanted, said Stephen Foster Elementary Principal Michael Cassaw.

"We were very proud of them for pulling through and doing their best," Cassaw said.

Braun, who taught at the school for more than 30 years, was on her way there Monday morning when the car she was traveling in was hit by a truck and overturned. She was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Gail Carter, 54, a physical education teacher who was driving, was critically injured in the crash.

Today Carter is still recovering at Broward General Medical Center and hasn't been able to receive visitors yet, Cassaw said. "The students are making her cards and writing her letters. As soon as she can receive them, we'll make sure she gets them," he said.

Students learned of Braun's death Monday through an announcement over the public address system. Grief counselors were called in, and they will likely be back today, said Broward School District spokeswoman Nadine Drew.

Aside from Carter and Braun, the four other passengers in the 1997 Buick were Braun's grandchildren, ages 9, 10, 11 and 11.

Braun's daughter, Dawn Clelland, 36, the mother of two of the children in the car, said Braun had raised her four daughters as a single mother and always remained available to them. When they suffered divorces or lost jobs, Braun was there inviting them to move home, said Clelland.

She also remembered her mother's dedication to Stephen Foster Elementary.

"We grew up with the school," she said. "My mom loved teaching. She never considered doing anything else."

Beth Nanney, a friend for 30 years and a fellow teacher at Stephen Foster, said Braun's death was hard to take in.

"I am in shock," Nanney said. "She was a great friend. She was always there for everybody, and she adored her family. She will be missed by her kids, her school."

The 7:05 a.m. crash near Broward Boulevard occurred when a semitrailer truck tried to change lanes, striking Carter's Buick and causing it to hit a Volvo, Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Mark Wysocky said. The Volvo struck a light pole; the Buick overturned on the side of the highway.

Cherie Sanders, 28, of Oakland Park, was riding behind the Buick when the accident took place. She helped Braun's grandchildren out of the car and waited with them for help to arrive.

"If this had happened to any of my kids, I'd want somebody there for them," Sanders said.

Braun's grandchildren were taken to Broward General Medical Center for treatment. They escaped major injury.

The driver of the truck, Tracy Fiffia, 42, of Madison, was uninjured. The driver of the Volvo, Pedro Polanco, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, suffered minor injuries.

No charges have been filed, and the crash is under investigation.

Staff writers Kathy Bushouse, Joel Marino and Rafael Olmeda contributed to this report. Sallie James can be reached at sjames@SunSentinel.com or 954-572-2019.