Georgia's Teacher of the Year Program (GTOTY) annually spotlights the teaching profession and recognizes outstanding public school teachers at the local and state levels. The program is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education. It is a prestigious awards program to focus attention on excellence in teaching. The first Georgia Teacher of the Year was selected in 1971. Applications for the 2011 Georgia TOTY are due to the Recognition Unit by 4 p.m., Monday, December 7, 2009. The 2011 TOTY will be announced at the TOTY Banquet in May of 2010.

Qualifications

The candidate for Teacher of the Year should be:

• A certified classroom teacher (clear and renewable certificate) in public prekindergarten through grade 12, including special education, physical education, art, music, and media specialists. (Counselors are not eligible.)
• An exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled teacher who is planning to continue in active teaching status.
• A teacher who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
• A teacher who has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues.
• A teacher who plays an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
• A teacher who is poised and articulate and possesses the energy to withstand a taxing schedule.

Selection Process for GTOTY

Each system nominee submits an application packet that is based on the National Teacher of the Year Program application. Applications are judged on all items on the entry form, and ten finalists are selected. Site visits to each of the ten finalists' classrooms and follow-up interviews are conducted by the judges. Finalists also prepare a speech at a luncheon in the spring. The 2011 Georgia Teacher of the Year will be announced at the state banquet in the May 2010.

The Georgia Teacher of the Year, an educational ambassador for the Georgia Public School System, acts as a representative for all Georgia public school teachers and as an advocate for the school systems, its students, and its teachers. The Georgia TOTY's numerous engagements usually include recognition before the Georgia House and Senate during the session of the General Assembly. The GTOTY takes a one-year sabbatical working directly with the Georgia Department of Education. This is a full time position. During this time he or she speaks to various groups throughout the state. This teacher representative also conducts staff development activities for other teachers in his or her area of expertise; serves on statewide committees; and attends and participates in numerous state conferences.

Timeline

2009
May	2011 Teacher of the Year (GTOTY) Application Packet will be available to download online. (A letter and an email alert will be sent to the Superintendent regarding this availability.)
December 7	Deadline (4 p.m.) for application from system TOTY to be received by GaDOE
January	Evaluation/scoring of applications

2010
February	Ten finalists announced
March	Site visits to finalists’ schools and interviews by panel of Judges
April	Luncheon for finalists (Atlanta)
May	GTOTY Banquet (Atlanta)
July	2011 GTOTY term of service begins