MEDIA CONTACTS: Matt
Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404)
651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org
Keisha Ford-Jenrette, GaDOE
Excellence Recognition, (404) 657-2949, kford@gadoe.org
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May
16, 2014 –
Amanda Miliner, a fourth grade teacher from Miller Elementary in Warner Robins,
has been named the 2015 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Ms. Miliner was named the
winner of the award at the annual Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet held at
the Georgia International Convention Center on Friday, May 16. As Georgia
Teacher of the Year, Miliner will serve as an advocate for public education in
Georgia.
“I’d
like to offer my sincere congratulations to Amanda Miliner, our 2015 Georgia
Teacher of the Year,” State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge said. “She has
already changed lives in her classroom, and through this platform she will
change the lives of many more children in Georgia as she acts as an advocate
and a voice for educators and students.”
As
the only child of a single mother who was active duty in the Air Force, Miliner
found that many of her teachers became her extended family. During the
times her mother was on extended duty, Miliner depended on her school
relationships, especially her teachers. She points to those relationships as
part of the reason she was the first person in her family to graduate from
college.
While
volunteering for a Big Brother and Big Sister program during college, Miliner
decided to change her major to Early Childhood Education. After serving as Miss
Georgia in 2006, Miliner spent a year traveling and working in the
entertainment industry. But she realized she needed to go back to her
dreams of being an educator, where she felt most fulfilled in life.
Within a few weeks she obtained a teaching position.
As
host teacher for a Math Early Intervention Program (EIP) class, Miliner’s class
has had a 100 percent pass rate for the Math portion of the CRCT for several
years. In her application, Miliner stated, “As great as these accomplishments
are they are not what I’m most proud of. I am most proud of the fact that I can
stand before my students as an example of what hard work and determination can
do. I also am proud to stand before my peers as a proud educator who is blessed
to work in a profession where each day is meaningful and relevant.”
As
Georgia Teacher of the Year, Miliner will represent Georgia teachers by
speaking to the public about the teaching profession and possibly conducting
workshops and programs for educators. She will also compete for the 2015
National Teacher of the Year.
The
Georgia Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by United Healthcare.
2015
Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalists (in alphabetical order by district)
Teacher, Subject, System, School
Rita L. Simmons,
Gifted K-5
Atlanta
Public Schools, Cleveland Avenue Elementary
Rhonda
Lokey, Sixth
Grade Social Studies
Cobb County, Campbell Middle
Dr. Lyn Schenbeck,
Film/Video Music, Business in Arts, Music in Medicine, String and Vocals
Coweta County, Central Educational Center
Michelle Peace,
Spanish I, II, III
Early
County, Early County High
Sarah Ballew Welch,
English, Oral/Written Communications and British Literature
Fannin County, Fannin County High
Nick C. Crowder,
Engineering Education
Forsyth
County, South Forsyth High
Hyunjin Son,
Physics and Foundations of Engineering & Technology
Gwinnett County, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Paul D. Mixon,
Journalism and Economics (Runner-up)
Heard County, Heard County High
Amanda Miliner,
Fourth Grade
Houston County, Miller Elementary
Marc
Pedersen,
Biology, Biotechnology and Chemistry
Paulding
County, Paulding County High
The Georgia Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by United Healthcare.