2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year recognition banquet, May 5, 2000

CelebraGtiAoneofoExrcelglen2icea00T1eacher of the Year
Recognition Banquet
May 5, 2000
Renaissance Concourse Hotel Atlanta, Georgia
Linda C. Schrenko State Superintendent of Schools

Welcome
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--Jimmy Hogg, Vocational Equity Coordinator (404) 657-8317 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) 656-2800; to the Regional Office for Civil Rights, Atlanta 30323; or to the Director, Office for Civil Rights, Education Department, Washington, D.C. 20201.

On behalf of Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools and the Recognition Programs staff, we thank you.
Judy Floyd, Director of Recognition Programs Gerri Heard, Education Program Specialist Merri Heidemann, Graphic Designer Jewell Camp, Special Assistant Jackie Westry, Administrative Assistant Sarah Wyatt, Secretary Ed Sikes, Education Program Specialist Marian Dabney, Education Program Specialist

2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Sponsors
BANQUET
Georgia Power Company King and Spivey Enterprises Georgia Department of Education State Board of Education
CONFERENCE
Georgia Power Company Georgia Teacher of the Year Association Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Coca Cola Company
Our sincere thanks to all of our sponsors for their generous support of the
Georgia Teacher of the Year Program, Recognition Banquet and Conference.
These sponsors have allowed us to recognize all of
Georgia's 2001 Teachers of the Year.

2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Mary Wilson Eager
Mathematics Teacher Lumpkin County High School, Lumpkin County Schools
Bachelor of Arts in Education from Wesleyan College Master of Arts in Education from North Georgia College Specialist in Education from The University of Georgia
Mary Wilson Eager's mother always told her that she was "good with people." When she was in fifth grade she wanted to be a missionary. Since she thrived in school and enjoyed interacting with people, teaching became her natural choice. Twenty-eight years after graduating from college, she is still teaching and learning about teaching. She belongs to several professional mathematics organizations and has participated and conducted educational workshops and seminars. Ms. Eager has received numerous awards and recognitions. She has been named a STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Award) teacher five times, an Outstanding Teacher of Technology three times, and Lumpkin County Teacher of the Year two times. Ms. Eager serves as a mentor for novice and aspiring young teachers at her school. She believes a key element that determines the strength of the teaching profession is the quality of the individuals who choose to teach, and she encourages her best students to consider teaching as a career. Her son, an aspiring teacher, gives her hope that the profession will continue to improve as intelligent, dedicated, energetic people enter the teaching field. She also believes that teachers should lean on each other, share their expertise, and encourage each other daily.

PROGRAM
WELCOME Linda C. Schrenko
State Superintendent of Schools
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE Dr. Ed Floyd
Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Evelyn Hanshew Accompanist
Director of Clinical Training, Psychological Studies Institute
INSPIRATION Amy Monroe Denty
2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year
SPECIAL MUSIC West Side Magnet School Advanced Strings
"String Beaver"
DINNER
Music Provided By West Side Magnet School Advanced Strings
Under the Direction of Lynda Brock
Tomato and Mozzarella Napoleon Salad Basil Vinaigrette Dressing
Roasted New York Sirloin with Chianti Red Wine Sauce Au Gratin Potatoes
Fresh Seasonal Vegetables Key Lime Pie
INTRODUCTION AND RECOGNITION OF SPONSORS Linda C. Schrenko
Georgia Power Company King and Spivey Enterprises Georgia Association of Educators Professional Association of Georgia Educators
Coca Cola Company Blue Bell Ice Cream
RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL GUESTS Linda C. Schrenko
State Board of Education Members Teacher of the Year Judges
Department of Education Staff

A Special Thanks

We extend a special thanks to all the talented musicians of the West Side Magnet School Advanced Strings
who provided the music before and during the dinner.

Violins:

Ashton Price Cathy Dekmar Julie Won JoAnna Turner Mollie Lukken Rachael Edwards Erin Askew Michael Thornton Michael Lewis Jesse Barganier

Violas:

Rachel Jackson Liz Haines Amanda Jones

Cellos:

Tyler Brock Josh McWhorter Tommy Bailey

Bass:

Brent Evans

Under the direction of Lynda Brock

Roll of Excellence
Georgia Teachers of the Year

2000 *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

Amy Monroe Denty 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

Wayne County 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 County

* 1999 National Teacher of the Year

STUDENT PRESENTATION Amy Monroe Denty
2000 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Woody Whitson Space Camp Winner Arthur Williams Middle School, Wayne County Schools
RECOGNITION OF LOCAL SYSTEM TEACHERS OF THE YEAR Linda C. Schrenko
RECOGNITION OF SEMIFINALISTS Linda C. Schrenko
RECOGNITION OF FINALISTS Linda C. Schrenko
INTRODUCTION AND RECOGNITION OF 2001 GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Linda C. Schrenko
ADDRESS Mary Wilson Eager
2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Georgia Association of Educators Professional Association of Georgia Educators College Fund Division/Midwest National Life Insurance Company
Herff Jones Company Blue Bell Ice Cream Creative Solutions
CLOSING REMARKS Linda C. Schrenko
A special note of thanks is extended to the State Board of Education, the Georgia Department of Education
and the staff of Recognition Programs 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.

Finalists
2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Darlene Callan
Runner-up
English Literature/Composition, Humanities Teacher Gordon Central High School, Gordon County Schools Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgia State University; Master of Arts in English from State University of West Georgia "Perhaps my greatest accomplishment in or contribution to education is that I have become an encourager. My experience of growing up with children of many cultures and social classes taught me an important principle: Children, regardless of origin, must realize their self-worth before they can master academics. Love is more powerful than knowledge; and for students to desire knowledge, they must first know that they are appreciated."

Local System
2001 Teachers of the Year

Jane Grizzle Ware County Middle School
Ware County Schools
Kathryn Kennedy Tennille Elementary School Washington County Schools
Brenda Edenfield Arthur Williams Middle School
Wayne County Schools
John Greene Webster County Elementary School
Webster County Schools

Laurie Milhollin Jack P. Nix Primary School
White County Schools
Aldona Pattillo Tunnel Hill Elementary School
Whitfield County Schools
Joni Moore Washington-Wilkes Middle School
Wilkes County Schools
Donna Robb Holley Elementary School
Worth County Schools

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.

Sabrina Bennett
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Madison County High School, Madison County Schools
Bachelor of Arts in Education and Master of Arts in Education from The University of Georgia
"I have a burning desire to make life better for young people. They are all very special and have unique needs and situations. That desire has kept me striving to be a better teacher. I believe that every child that enters my classroom has a special gift to share with those in the class. My commitment is to find that child's special gift and to address each special need. Some are basic: A little attention, a warm smile, a word of encouragement. I feel blessed and honored to have the opportunity to make a difference in students' lives."

Local System
2001 Teachers of the Year

Mary Youmans Seminole County Elementary School
Seminole County Schools

Deborah Nicholson Towns County Comprehensive High School
Towns County Schools

Connie Cannon Social Circle High School Social Circle City Schools

Elizabeth Patterson Towns County Comprehensive High School
Towns County Schools

Teresa Dansby Stephens County Middle School
Stephens County Schools

Vicki Hamrick Trion Middle School Trion City Schools

Debra Hart Cherokee Elementary School
Sumter County Schools

Carol H. Cain West Side Magnet School Troup County Schools

Renna Dasher Glennville Elementary School
Tattnall County Schools

Karin Brown Turner County Elementary School
Turner County Schools

Mary Hendricks Telfair County High School
Telfair County Schools

James Shinholster Twiggs County Middle School
Twiggs County Schools

Gwendolyn Taylor Terrell Middle School Terrell County Schools

Judy Hughes Union County Elementary School
Union County Schools

Jackie Winchester Central Middle School Thomas County Schools

Resa Harris Sallas-Mahone Elementary School
Valdosta City Schools

Patricia Hayes Upson-Lee South Elementary School Thomaston-Upson County Schools

Lynn Lewis J. R. Trippe Middle School
Vidalia City Schools

Nancy Garner Len Lastinger Primary School
Tift County Schools

Connie Nelms North LaFayette Elementary School
Walker County Schools

Katherine Palmer Lyons Elementary School Toombs County Schools

Pauline Jarman Monroe Area Comprehensive High School
Walton County Schools

Finalists
2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Carol H. Cain
Language Arts and Theatre Teacher West Side Magnet School, Troup County Schools Bachelor of Arts in English and Speech/Drama from LaGrange College "I feel great satisfaction that I have found my life's work and that it continues to challenge me daily. No honor or award can replace the sense of fulfillment I feel by being a part of the growth and education of young people. To see a face light up when a student exclaims, "I got it! I understand! I can do this!" is an accomplishment that few outside of education experience.
James W. Morris, Jr.
Fifth-grade Inclusion All Subjects Teacher Mountain View Elementary School, Cobb County Schools Bachelor of Architectural Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University "I want each child to see more than they have ever seen, to envision more than they have ever envisioned, and to accomplish more than they ever thought they could, and by doing that, see how much more there is to learn and realize how exciting education can be. I tell my Maverick parents, "'Nothing I do in this class will keep your child out of college, but everything I do in this classroom will put your child in Harvard.'"

Semifinalists
2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year
C. C. Bates
Fairview Elementary School > Newton County
Sabrina Bennett
Madison County High School > Madison County
Pamela Brown
Smokey Road Middle School > Coweta County
Carol H. Cain
West Side Magnet School > Troup County
Darlene Callan
Gordon Central High School > Gordon County
Mary Wilson Eager
Lumpkin County High School > Lumpkin County
Brenda Edenfield
Arthur Williams Middle School > Wayne County
Marsha McFall
Gainesville High School > Gainesville City
Debra Malone
Pepperell Elementary School > Floyd County
Rebecca Mobley
Jeff Davis Primary School > Jeff Davis County
James W. Morris, Jr.
Mountain View Elementary School > Cobb County
Christina Starkey
B. B. Harris Elementary School > Gwinnett County
You are outstanding examples of excellence in the field of teaching. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your dedication to education and to your students.

Local System
2001 Teachers of the Year

Betsy Carone Todd-Grant Elementary School
McIntosh County Schools
Lanita McDuffie Mitchell County Elementary School
Mitchell County Schools
Heidi Graziano Morgan County Elementary School
Morgan County Schools
Nell Wilburn Spring Place Elementary School
Murray County Schools
Jacqueline Grandy James B. Key Elementary School
Muscogee County Schools
Celeste Bates Fairview Elementary School
Newton County Schools
Sandra Nash Oconee County Middle School
Oconee County Schools
Teresa Hoechst Oglethorpe County Elementary School
Oglethorpe County Schools
Irene Arnold East Paulding Middle School
Paulding County Schools
Mary Banter Fort Valley Middle School
Peach County Schools
Shelia Cain Pelham Elementary School
Pelham City Schools

Katherine Morris Pickens County Middle School
Pickens County Schools
Sandi Milton Patterson Elementary School
Pierce County Schools
Brenda Ross Pike County Primary School
Pike County Schools
Patricia Lanham Cedartown High School Polk County Schools
Christina Woods L.I.T.T.L.E. Children Growing
Pulaski County Schools
Deana Harkness Rabun County Middle School
Rabun County Schools
Julie Purvis Davidson Fine Arts School Richmond County Schools
Pamela Hayes Barksdale Elementary School
Rockdale County Schools
Andrew Blackburn Rome High School Rome City Schools
Nancy West Savannah Arts Academy Savannah-Chatham County Schools
Deanna Bragg Screven County Middle School
Screven County Schools

Local System
2001 Teachers of the Year

Virginia Kimble Wesley Lakes Elementary School
Henry County Schools
Kathy James Kings Chapel Elementary School
Houston County Schools
Leigh Sumner Irwin County High School
Irwin County Schools
Miles Adams Jackson Comprehensive High School
Jackson County Schools
Rebecca Mobley Jeff Davis Primary School Jeff Davis County Schools
Mary Williamson Jefferson Elementary School
Jefferson City Schools
Dana Williams Louisville Academy Jefferson County Schools
Jancey Brinson Jenkins County Elementary School
Jenkins County Schools
Rebecca Frost Johnson County Elementary School
Johnson County Schools
Tyrone Bacon Lamar County Comprehensive High School
Lamar County Schools
Deborah Raines Lanier County High School
Lanier County Schools

Kathy Moseley East Laurens Middle School
Laurens County Schools
Elaine Ruckel Lee County High School
Lee County Schools
Merle Watson Bradwell Institute Liberty County Schools
Tonya Burt Lincoln County Middle School
Lincoln County Schools
Shane Brannen Long County High School
Long County Schools
Iris Mathis Hahira Elementary School Lowndes County Schools
Mary Wilson Eager Lumpkin County High School
Lumpkin County Schools
Sabrina Bennett Madison County High School
Madison County Schools
Sharon Kirby Marietta High School Marietta City Schools
Teresa Banks Tri-County High School Marion County Schools
Sonya Moss-Powell Thomson Middle School McDuffie County Schools

Local System
2001 Teachers of the Year

Cynthia Hatchett Appling Comprehensive High School
Appling County Schools
Jacquelyne Burke D. M. Therrell High School
Atlanta City Schools
Susan Oliver Banks County High School
Banks County Schools
Debra Darling Bramlett Elementary School
Barrow County Schools
Donald Witsell Cass High School Bartow County Schools
Terri Brown Ben Hill County Middle School
Ben Hill County Schools
Sheila Rice Berrien Elementary School
Berrien County Schools
Jamie Akin Westside High school Bibb County Schools
Carol Murphy Bremen High School Bremen City Schools
Christine Hiers Quitman Elementary School
Brooks County Schools
Sherry Davis Lanier Primary School Bryan County Schools

Jill Britt Buford Academy Buford City Schools
Christy Lanier Brooklet Elementary School
Bulloch County Schools
Julie Roberts Waynesboro Primary School
Burke County Schools
Annie Evans Jackson Elementary School
Butts County Schools
Hayley Gilreath Eastside Primary School
Calhoun City Schools
Kendra Blackerby Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School
Camden County Schools
Melissa Williams Metter High School
Candler County Schools
Sonny Reeves Technical High School of Carroll County
Carroll County Schools
Beverly McGinnis Carrollton Elementary School
Carrollton City Schools
Randi Sonenshine Cartersville High School Cartersville City Schools
Brenda Coe Cloud Springs Elementary School
Catoosa County Schools

Local System
2001 Teachers of the Year

Joshua Howard Charlton County High School
Charlton County Schools
Martha Templeton Summerville Middle School Chattooga County Schools
Susan McCarthy E. T. Booth Middle School Cherokee County Schools
Sharon McKillip Whit Davis Elementary School
Clarke County Schools
Linda Andrews J. W. Arnold Elementary School
Clayton County Schools
James W. Morris, Jr. Mountain View Elementary School
Cobb County Schools
Dana Davenport Coffee High School Coffee County Schools
Mary Fath Colquitt County High School
Colquitt County Schools
Elizabeth Truelove Lakeside Middle School Columbia County Schools
Debbie Clark Commerce Elementary School
Commerce City Schools
Pamela Brown Smokey Road Middle School
Coweta County Schools

Pam Perry Crawford County High School
Crawford County Schools
Carmen McLain Crisp County High School
Crisp County Schools
Julia Higgins Dalton High School Dalton City Schools
Sherry Browning Dawson County High School
Dawson County Schools
Sheryl Hinson West Bainbridge Middle School
Decatur County Schools
Deborah Dunn Peachtree Middle School DeKalb County Schools
Melinda Dennis Dodge County High School
Dodge County Schools
Hazel Masters Dougherty Comprehensive High School
Dougherty County Schools
Cyndi Burnett Bright Star Elementary School
Douglas County Schools
Terry Kennedy Dublin High School Dublin City Schools
Rhonda Carlisle Early County Elementary School
Early County Schools

Local System
2001 Teachers of the Year

Travis Nesmith South Effingham High School
Effingham County Schools

Lori Joiner Needwood Middle School
Glynn County Schools

Fran Oakley Falling Creek Elementary School
Elbert County Schools

Darlene Callan Gordon Central High School
Gordon County Schools

Steven Kozlosky Swainsboro High School Emanuel County Schools

Lisa LeGette Cairo High School Grady County Schools

Natalie Acker Claxton High School Evans County Schools

Dee Smith Greene-Taliaferro Comprehensive High School
Greene County Schools

Joan Davenport East Fannin Elementary School
Fannin County Schools

Jackie Patterson Beaverbrook Elementary School Griffin-Spalding County Schools

Debra Malone Pepperell Elementary School
Floyd County Schools

Christina Starkey B. B. Harris Elementary School
Gwinnett County Schools

Alice Holland North Forsyth High School Forsyth County Schools

Pamela Giesler Clarkesville Elementary School
Habersham County Schools

Jane Evans Lavonia Elementary School Franklin County Schools

James Haight North Hall High School
Hall County Schools

Marsha McFall Gainesville High School Gainesville City Schools

Ilana McKibben Haralson County High School
Haralson County Schools

Lynne Pritchett Gilmer High School Gilmer County Schools

Reba Dyer Mulberry Creek Elementary School
Harris County Schools

Mary Marsingill Glascock County Consolidated
Glascock County Schools

Carolyn Burrell Hart County High School
Hart County Schools