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​​​Congratulations Holly Witcher, 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year! 

Read the press release and learn about Holly here​. 

Program Goals

The GaTOTY program strives to promote and retain quality teachers and focuses on three program goals:  

1. Elevate the teaching profession by recognizing, celebrating, and
   providing unique and innovative learning experiences for highly accomplished teachers. 
2. Amplify teacher voice to advance student learning and champion
   student success. 
3. Expose teachers to relevant policy topics and develop the context
   for teacher leadership. ​​

About the Program​

The GaTOTY serves as an ambassador for education, traveling the state speaking to educators and community groups. The GaTOTY competes in the National Teacher of the Year Program, representing Georgia at national conferences with other State Teachers of the Year. 

All local education agency (LEA) superintendents are responsible for selecting the local system Teacher of the Year, but may appoint a person to oversee this project and an outside committee to interview, observe, and select the system’s representative. The questions asked in the Georgia TOTY Application parallel the questions for the CCSSO National Teacher of the Year (NTOY)​ program. It is suggested that participating systems use the same narrative response questions contained in the Georgia application when conducting the selection process within their systems. ​Local system superintendents may nominate a representative to participate in the selection process for Georgia Teacher of the Year. ​

Georgia Teacher of the Year Qualifications

The Georgia Teacher of the Year candidate has the respect and admiration of their colleagues and must possess the following attributes:  

1. A certified public school classroom teacher with a valid and current Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Professional or Advanced/
   Lead Professional certificate in prekindergarten through Grade 12. Special education, physical education, art, music, and ROTC are eligible, along with media specialists.*

2. Full-time, with a minimum of three (3) years of classroom teaching experience.  

3. Is an exceptional, dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled teacher planning to
   con​tinue in active teaching status**.

1. Is an expert in the field who advances growth for students of all backgrounds
   and abilities. 

1. Builds collaborative relationships with colleagues, students, and families to
   create a school culture of success.  

1. Plays an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school. 

1. Deliberately connects the classroom to community to impact student growth
   and learning.  

1. As a lifelong learner and teacher leader, utilizes innovation to create learning experiences within and beyond the classroom. 

2. Expresses themselves in an engaging and clear way, conveying the classroom experience to a variety of audiences. 

​​​​*Counselors and Speech Pathologists are not eligible for the state or national programs.

**Active teaching status is defined as spending at least 50% of contract time teaching students in a classroom setting through the term of the GaTOTY. Supervisory responsibilities should be of secondary consideration.​