Ten Teachers Chosen from 154 Applications MEDIA CONTACT : Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org - Follow us on Twitter and Facebook March 1, 2011 -- State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge announced today the finalists for 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year. The 10 finalists were chosen from a pool of 154 applicants who were selected as the Teacher of the Year in their school districts. 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. "This is a strong group of outstanding educators who would each make a terrific 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year," said Superintendent Barge. "Congratulations to the finalists and to all those who applied for consideration. I know the judges had a very difficult job choosing just 10 finalists from this group of applicants." Over the next several weeks, a panel of judges will observe and interview each of the finalists. The finalists will also give a speech at a luncheon sponsored by Georgia Power on April 1. The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet on May 6, 2011, at the Georgia World Congress Center. The banquet, paid for through donations from sponsors, will honor each local district Teacher of the Year. A reception hosted by United Healthcare will be held prior to the banquet. The 2012 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 2011 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Ms. Pam Williams, a teacher at Appling County High School. To learn more about Ms. Williams and the Teacher of the Year program, click on the following link: http://www.gadoe.org/ci.aspx?PageReq=TOTY 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalists (in alphabetical order by district) Teacher, Subject, System, School Jadun O. McCarthy , English Language Arts Bibb County, Northeast Health Science Magnet High School Ashlee J. Mitchell , Speech-Language Pathology Bulloch County, Stilson Elementary School Vicki Tarleton , Mathematics Columbia County, Grovetown High School Nancy Williams , Social Skills Coweta County, Madras Middle School Beth Sciarro , Reading Houston County, Northside Elementary Ivy K. Smith , Mathematics Lowndes County, Pine Grove Middle Christine W. Powell , Journalism, Art History and Literature Muscogee County, Northside High School Lisa Boyd , English Language Arts Rockdale County, Salem High School Melissa Webb , Second Grade Savannah-Chatham, West Chatham Elementary School Nancy C. Rogers , Literature Thomas County, Thomas County Central High School The Georgia Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by United Healthcare.
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