MEDIA CONTACTS: Matt Cardoza, mcardoza@gadoe.org, (404) 651-7358 or
Keisha Ford-Jenrette, kford@gadoe.org
(404) 657-2949
-Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
April 26, 2016 – State School Superintendent Richard
Woods today announced the finalists for Georgia's 2017 Teacher of the Year.
The 10
finalists were chosen from a pool of 155 applicants, all of whom were the
Teacher of the Year in their school district. The applications were read by a
panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year
winners and finalists, administrators, community leaders and others. The
finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.
"Having
excellent teachers in the classroom is absolutely essential -- our students
cannot succeed at high levels without them," Superintendent Woods said.
"Every one of these ten finalists is a shining example of the difference a
great teacher makes in the life of a child. I congratulate each of them on
their accomplishments and look forward to working with them to ensure our policies
are child-focused and classroom-centered."
Over the next
several weeks, a panel of judges will conduct video observations and interviews
and hear speeches given by the finalists. The winner will be announced in
mid-May.
This year marks
the 45th anniversary of the Teacher of the Year program in Georgia. This year’s
anniversary will be celebrated with a gala in Savannah with First Lady Sandra
Deal as chair.
The 2017
Georgia Teacher of the Year will travel around the state and the nation,
serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession. The winner will also be
entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
The 2016
Georgia Teacher of the Year is Mr. Ernie Lee, an IB History, Civics and U.S.
Government teacher, from Windsor Forest High School in Savannah.
To learn more
about the Teacher of the Year program, click here: http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Excellence-Recognition/Pages/Georgia-Teacher-of-the-Year-Program.aspx
2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Finalists (in alphabetical order by district)
Martha
Villanueva Milam, AP Chemistry, Chemistry
Coweta County, East Coweta High
Casey M.
Bethel, AP Physics, AP Biology, Honors Physics, Biology, Physical Science
Douglas County, New Manchester High
Heather Cocke,
English Language Arts
Effingham County, Ebenezer Middle
Marlo Miranda,
Automotive Technologies
Forsyth County, Forsyth Central High
Heather
McConnell, Special Education
Gainesville City, Gainesville Middle
Jennifer
Taylor, Science
Harris County, Harris County Carver
Middle
Sara Jones
Wilder, Fourth Grade
Lowndes County, James L. Dewar
Elementary
Dr. Debra
Russell, AP Biology, Magnet Biology, Anatomy and Physiology
Rockdale County, Rockdale Magnet School
for Science and Technology
Michelle
Courtwright Ashmore, AP U.S. Government, Comparative Religion and Economics
Troup County, Troup County Comprehensive
High
Joseph Cody
Moncrief, Mathematics
Valdosta City, Valdosta Middle