SARASOTA - A Manatee County teacher has died after getting caught in deep water while wade fishing Monday afternoon.

Two fishermen apparently got into a channel that was too deep near the north end of Lido Key, off the 1400 block of John Ringling Parkway.

The victim is 54-year-old Calvin Esaw, a Graphic Arts teacher at Tillman Elementary in Palmetto, who was spending the day off from school fishing with family members.

According to Sarasota Police, just before 2pm Monday, cleaning workers at a home nearby heard the fishermen's cries for help, got into the homeowner’s kayaks and went to their aid, bringing the men to shore.  “Once we pulled the first guy out of the water onto the kayak, and then we paddled with out feet to the second gentleman and pulled him up,” said Paul Goodin.

Paramedics arrived on scene as the men were being pulled out of the water.  Esaw was unresponsive and taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Margi Nanney with Manatee County Schools issued a brief statement Monday, saying "We are in shock, and we are deeply sad for his family.  He was a wonderful person."

Nanney told ABC 7 that grief counselors will be at Tillman Elementary this week for both students and faculty.