2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year recognition banquet, April 23, 1999

CelebraGtiAoneofoExrcelglen2icea00T0eacher of the Year
Recognition Banquet
April 23,1999
Atlanta Airport Marriott Atlanta, Georgia
Linda C. Schrenko State Superintendent of Schools

Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964); sex (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990); or disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) in educational programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
Employees, students, and the general public are hereby notified that the Georgia Department of Education does not discriminate in any educational programs or activities or in employment policies.
The following individuals have been designated as the employees responsible for coordinating the department's effort to implement this nondiscriminatory policy.
Perkins Act--Sue Dohrmann, Vocational Equity Coordinator (404) 657-8304 Title VI--Betsy Howerton, Legal Services (404) 656-4689 Title IX--Betsy Howerton, Legal Services (404) 656-4689 Section 504 and ADA--Betsy Howerton, Legal Services (404) 656-4689
Inquiries concerning the application of the Perkins Act, Title VI, Title IX, or Section 504 and ADA to the policies and practices of the department may be addressed to the Georgia Department of Education, Twin Towers East, Atlanta 30334, (404) 6562800; to the Regional Office for Civil Rights, Atlanta 30323; or to the Director, Office for Civil Rights, Education Department, Washington, D.C. 20201.
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Amy Monroe Denty

2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year

Amy Monroe Denty always knew she wanted to be a teacher, and with the support of her family and encouragement from educators in her life, she became a teacher and lifelong learner. She manages a "full plate" of activities. She is not only an exemplary science teacher at Arthur Williams Middle School, but she is associated with several professional organizations and shares her joy of learning by frequently offering conference workshops and presentations. One of her special talents is coordinating school activities such as science field trips, speakers, and schoolwide interdisciplinary activities such as Space Week and Olympic Week. She writes grants, serves on various committees, and works with future teachers. Ms. Denty and her husband recently restored a historic home in Jesup giving their family and the community an opportunity to celebrate the past while looking toward the future. Heavily involved in her community, Ms. Denty logged over 100 service hours last year. South Carolina honored Ms. Denty by selecting her the 1994 Elementary Science Teacher of the Year.

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PROGRAM
WELCOME Linda C. Schrenko
State Superintendent of Schools
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE Jamie Lipscomb
1998 Georgia Teacher of the Year
INSPIRATION Ernie Blankenship
1996 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist
DINNER
Music Provided By Clayton County's String Ensemble
Under the Direction of Kathy Saucier
Chicken Dijon Mediterranean Salad Julienne of Squash and Carrots with Asparagus Roma Tomato with Parmesan Bread Crumbs
Assorted Rolls Tea or Coffee Bourbon Street Pecan Pie
INTRODUCTION AND RECOGNITION OF SPONSORS Linda C. Schrenko
Georgia Power Company PBD, Inc.
King and Spivey Enterprises Georgia Association of Educators Professional Association of Georgia Educators
United Parcel Service BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.
RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL GUESTS Linda C. Schrenko
Governor Roy Barnes and his guests State Board of Education Members
Teacher of the Year Judges Department of Education Staff
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2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Sponsors
BANQUET
Georgia Power Company PBD, Inc. King and Spivey Enterprises Georgia Department of Education State Board of Education
CONFERENCE
Georgia Teacher of the Year Association Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Georgia Power Company United Parcel Service BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.
Our sincere thanks to the Georgia Power Company for its generous financial support of the
Georgia Teacher of the Year Recognition Banquet and Conference. We also extend our sincere thanks to PBD, Inc. and to King and Spivey Enterprises for their financial support of the Recognition Banquet.
Our appreciation to the Georgia Teacher of the Year Association, Georgia Association of Educators,
the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the United Parcel Service, and BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.
for their contributions to the Georgia Teacher of the Year Conference.
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Finalists
2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year

Suttiwan S. Cox decided to become a teacher after almost losing her life in the largest student demonstration in the history of Thailand. She realized how fragile life is when she witnessed hundreds of students gunned down around her by the army the government sent to crush the unarmed student demonstrators. Growing up in an extended Chinese family of 13 members, she learned to value education and to believe that education is the key to a better life. As an immigrant, she tries to serve as a good role model for her students and their families who are immigrants or refugees. In her classroom and in her community, Ms. Cox hopes to send the message that if students and families work hard and do their best, they will share in the promise of the American dream--a dream shared by immigrants from all over the world for over two centuries.

Suttivan S. Cox

One of Dwight J. Stafford's greatest challenges is unwrapping each "gift" that enters his classroom. It is like peeling an onion or opening wrapped boxes within boxes in order to get to the jewels. Mr. Stafford is a veteran alternative school teacher with 20 years of experience in the field of business. He re-entered public education because of his desire to prepare students to lead productive lives. He believes that incorporating "real life" practical experiences into his classes will better prepare students for life after school, whether they continue their education at a postsecondary institution, college, miliary, or enter the world of work. Because of his unique background, Mr. Stafford is able to bridge the gap between his students and the world that awaits them. An active community leader, Mr. Stafford is involved in civic, church, and school activities. He has volunteered his time to serve as youth recreational basketball commissioner, to chair the Gwinnett Commercial Council, and to serve as a United Way representative.

Dwight J. Stafford

Kimberly D. Stewart has always loved school and decided very early in her life to become a teacher. She sets high standards in her rigorous and relevant classroom while at the same time considers the needs and creativity of individual learners. Ms. Stewart believes that a classroom alive with learning is the place where greatness begins. She takes the responsibility of teaching very seriously and attempts to know each of her students as individuals. She teaches for the less tangible rewards such as a smile to a child's face or an "A ha!" I understand. Recognized for her abilities as a teacher trainer, she leads staff development initiatives in her school and district and makes presentations at professional conferences and meetings. Both her students and peers feel respected, loved, safe, valued, and capable of learning. Ms. Stewart contributes to her school by sharing her enthusiasm, expertise, and love for children with the entire faculty. "Nothing could be more rewarding."

Kimberly D. Stewart

April Ward never dreamed that her early experiences teaching young children dance would have such a significant impact on her life. She learned such important lessons as every child is different; teachers must be patient; teachers must be creative; teachers must be able to plan and organize; and children need high self-esteem for success. Teacher training is also a major focus for Ms. Ward. For example, in a collaborative association, Ms. Ward and her students enjoy a "pen pal" relationship with an early childhood education language arts class at the University of Valdosta. These college students, who are future teachers, learn about writing development in young children as they write letters and make visits to Ms. Ward's first-grade classroom. She also observes, supervises, models, conducts training, and makes presentations at her home school and district and at professional conferences and meetings. Ms. Ward strongly believes that all children can learn and that there is no better way to have students learn than by making the learning process fun and enjoyable.
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April Ward

Semifinalists
2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Brenda Clifton
First Grade > Elm Street Elementary School < Coweta County
Suttiwan S. Cox
Grades 6-5 (ESOL) > Richards Middle School < Gwinnett County
Amy Monroe Denty
Sixth Grade (Science) > Arthur Williams Middle School < Wayne County
Bonnie Dudley
Fourth Grade (Extension Lab) > Hollis Hand Elementary School < Troup County
Diane K. Jones
Eighth Grade (Math/Algebra) > Fairplay Middle School < Douglas County
Amelia T. McIntyre
Seventh Grade (Life Science/Health) > Pickens County Middle School < Pickens County
Walter Eugene Nix, III
Technology Education > Gilmer High School < Gilmer County
Dwight J. Stafford
High School Social Studies, Keyboarding/Technology, Math, Science > Carver/Walton County CrossRoads Schools < Walton County
Kimberly Driscoll Stewart
Seventh Grade (Language Arts) > Dodgen Middle School < Cobb County
David Scott Turner
Grades 9-12 (Agriculture) > Central High School < Carroll County
Emily S. Wall
Fourth Grade (All) > Quitman Elementary School < Brooks County
April Ward
First Grade > Sallas Mahone School < Valdosta City
All of you represent excellence in the field of teaching and are an asset to the education profession.
Thank you for what you do for education and for the children of Georgia.
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Roll of Excellence
Georgia Teachers of the Year

1999 1998 1997 1995-96 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971

Andy Baumgartner Jamie P. Lipscomb Barbara Ann Ford Catherine S. Pittman Vallye Blanton Nancy B. Royal Sue Snow Jeff White Molly P. Howard Larry W. Bussey Jean Williams Eliot Wigginton Brenda Opie Julie Lanier Kay Harvey James McRaney Sandra Worsham William Densmore, Jr. Emma Stevens Murrah Everett Coker John McRae Patricia Hammond Edith Smoak Betty Lewis Phillips Norma Lattimore Kathleen Hobgood White Ferrell Drummond Murl Rountree

Richmond County Coweta County Clayton County Glynn County Lowndes County Coweta County Carrollton City Gwinnett County Jefferson County Tift County Douglas County Rabun County Cobb County Bulloch County Gwinnett County DeKalb County Baldwin County Atlanta City Lowndes County Cobb County Valdosta City Lumpkin County Glynn County Bibb County Rome City Barrow County Carrollton City Tift Count

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REMARKS AND STUDENT PRESENTATION Andy Baumgartner
1999 Georgia Teacher of the Year 1999 National Teacher of the Year
RECOGNITION OF SEMIFINALISTS Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald
Member, State Board of Education
RECOGNITION OF FINALISTS Linda C. Schrenko
INTRODUCTION AND RECOGNITION OF GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2000
Linda C. Schrenko
ADDRESS Amy Monroe Denty
2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year
CONGRATULATORY REMARKS Governor Roy Barnes
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Georgia Association of Educators Professional Association of Georgia Educators College Fund Division/Midwest National Life Insurance Company
Herff Jones Company
CLOSING REMARKS Linda C. Schrenko
New Georgia Teacher of the Year Logo designed by Merri L. Heidemann
A special note of thanks is extended to the State Board of Education and
the Georgia Department of Education for their generous support of the Recognition Banquet honoring Georgia's Teachers of the Year.
Thank you for your continued support of excellent classroom teaching.
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