2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year recognition banquet, April 20, 2001

CelebraGtiAoneofoExrcelglen2icea00T2eacher of the Year
Recognition Banquet
April 20, 2001
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.

2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Special Thanks To
BANQUET SPONSORS
Georgia Power Company Georgia Department of Education King and Spivey Enterprises
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Blue Bell Creameries Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) Georgia Department of Education Georgia Power Company Georgia Teachers of the Year Association Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) UPS Foundation
GIFT DONORS
Coca Cola Company The School Box The Kroger Company Jameson Inns Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Blue Bell Creameries Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) College Fund Division/Midwest Life Insurance Company Shaw Industries Beverly Hall Furniture Galleries Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Herff Jones, Inc. Jostens, Inc. Covington Ford-Mercury Ronnie Thompson Ford-Mercury
PATRONS
Althaskills Baranco Automotive Group Chic-Fil-A Jeffery and Connie Manguno Pearson Education

Musical Entertainment
We extend a special thanks to Mr. Bob Willing, director,
and to all the talented musicians of the Harlem Middle School Wind Ensemble from the Columbia County School System.

FLUTES Susan Dumas Sara Newman Selena Robinson Kyla Smiley Lauren Thompson
CLARINETS Amanda Fletcher
Ashley Garcia Jessica Hopkins Carmen Marcano Carolyn McDonald
TRUMPETS David Park Tina Peters Melody Kessler Jordan Newman Derrick Villeza
PERCUSSION Akin Evans Bret Nevin
Brandon Ramsey

BASS CLARINET Anna Simpson Jennifer Edwards
ALTO SAXOPHONES Robert Connolly Felix Chinea Roberto Marin
TENOR SAXOPHONE William Harmon
TUBA Jeremiah Arriola
Wesley Story
TROMBONES Aaron Holland Allen Riddle
BARITONES Melissa Conn Robbie Perkins Reuben Rentas Heather Williams

2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Dr. Mark Stallings
Science Teacher Gilmer High School, Gilmer County Schools
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Georgia College Master of Science in Secondary Education, Kansas State University Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, Kansas State University
Dr. Mark Stallings started school in a small farming community. Although he had many good teachers, the one he remembers most took a simple country boy and with some fairly simple training made a profound impact on his life. That teacher was Miss Lista Beavers. Now Dr. Stallings is simply trying to continue Miss Lista's (and many other influential teachers) legacy by helping young people change their lives. These dedicated people taught him by example to be the proactive teacher he is today. He has received numerous awards and recognitions. Dr. Stallings has been a Tandy Technology Scholar, a STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Award) teacher three times, a district STAR teacher, a three-time Gilmer High School Teacher of the Year, and a twotime Gilmer County School System Teacher of the Year. He has also been a semifinalist for the Georgia Teacher of the Year twice. As an adjunct professor, Dr. Stallings has taught at Truett-McConnell College for the past six years. During the summer of 1998, he taught at the Center for Gifted and Talented Youth in association with John Hopkins University. Dr. Stallings states that watching his students grow and grasp new concepts while they are enjoying themselves is the most rewarding part of his career. He finds it hard to describe the exhilaration he feels when things click for a student after struggling with new ideas. That reward is what he strives for, and is probably the strongest link keeping him in this profession.

PROGRAM
WELCOME Linda C. Schrenko
State Superintendent of Schools
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE Dr. Ed Floyd
Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent of Schools
INSPIRATION Kevin J. Fletcher
Vice President of Retail Sales and Services Georgia Power Company
SPECIAL MUSIC Harlem Middle School Wind Ensemble
"Lord of the Dance"
DINNER
Music Provided By Harlem Middle School Wind Ensemble
Under the Direction of Bob Willing
Mediterranean Salad with Red Onions, Roasted Pepper, Feta Cheese, Tomatoes and Nicoise Onions Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing
Roasted New York Sirloin with Chianti Red Wine Sauce Vegetables wrapped in Tomato Ring Garlic Red-Skin Mashed Potatoes Fresh Fruit Bavarian Cake
INTRODUCTION AND RECOGNITION OF CONFERENCE AND BANQUET SPONSORS
Linda C. Schrenko Blue Bell Creameries Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) Georgia Power Company Georgia Teachers of the Year Association King and Spivey Enterprises Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE)
UPS Foundation
RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL GUESTS Linda C. Schrenko
State Board of Education Members Teacher of the Year Judges
Department of Education Staff Members of the General Assembly Past Georgia Teachers of the Year

Roll of Excellence
Georgia Teachers of the Year

2001 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

Mary Wilson Eager 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

Lumpkin County 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

Local System
2002 Teachers of the Year

Julie Page Webster County Elementary School
Webster County Schools
Bruce Wilkerson Jack P. Nix Primary School
White County Schools
Maria Varela Eastside Elementary School Whitfield County Schools

Mark Melton Washington-Wilkes Middle School
Wilkes County Schools
Bonnie Green Wilkinson County Primary School
Wilkinson County Schools
Janna Beanblossom Worth County Middle School
Worth County Schools

All of you represent excellence in the field of teaching and are an asset to your profession. Thank you for what you do for
education and for the children of Georgia.

STUDENT PRESENTATION Mary Wilson Eager
2001 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Wayne Martin Space Camp Winner Lumpkin County High School, Lumpkin 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 GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2002
Linda C. Schrenko
ADDRESS Dr. Mark Stallings
2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Coca Cola Company The School Box
The Kroger Company Jameson Inns
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Blue Bell Creameries
Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) College Fund Division/Midwest Life Insurance Company
Shaw Industries Beverly Hall Furniture Galleries Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE)
Herff Jones,Inc. Jostens, Inc.
Covington Ford-Mercury Ronnie Thompson Ford-Mercury
CLOSING REMARKS Linda C. Schrenko
Thank you for your continued support of excellent classroom teaching.

Finalists
2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Betsy Bunte
Runner-up
English Teacher Campbell High School, Cobb County Schools Bachelor's Degree in English, Wesleyan College; Master's Degree in English, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "I look for opportunities to share the accomplishments of my students and delight in calling parents to brag on their children's successes. By treating my students and their parents as valued clients and customers, I work hard to give them a semester's worth of service that represents more than they may have expected. Into a love of young people and new ideas, toss a spark. Fuel this spark with pride in the teaching profession, and the result is powerful combustion that guarantees classroom success."
Melissa Roland
Self-Contained Teacher Sarah Cobb Elementary School, Sumter County Schools Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Master's Degree and Specialist in Education, Georgia Southern University "Great teachers have a gift. Mediocre teachers have a job. I truly believe this with all my being. One can't just decide one wants to be a teacher; it is some special gift inside that person. This gift is one of my most cherished possessions. I have a close relationship with my students, and I believe that relationship building is critical. My secure classroom community allows my students to learn values and morals by personal experiences, and I treat each child with fairness and compassion. To teach each child equally is not to treat them the same; each child is unique.

Local System
2002 Teachers of the Year

Mary Whitley Social Circle High School Social Circle City Schools
Emily Adams Stephens County High School
Stephens County Schools
Yvonne Davis Stewart-Quitman High School
Stewart County Schools
Melissa Roland Sarah Cobb Elementary School
Sumter County Schools
Debbie Woodcock Glennville Elementary School
Tattnall County Schools
Robert Hendricks Telfair County High School
Telfair County Schools
Robin Shaver Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School
Thomas County Schools
Frances Trice Upson-Lee North Elementary School Thomaston-Upson County Schools
Laura Pope Len Lastinger Primary School
Tift County Schools
Robert Waller Toombs County High School
Toombs County Schools
Kathleen Disney Trion Elementary School
Trion City Schools

Cathy Otto Hollis Hand Elementary School
Troup County Schools
Barbara Vincent Turner County Elementary School
Turner County Schools
James Shinholster Twiggs Middle School Twiggs County Schools
Deborah Sommer Union County Elementary School
Union County Schools
Lynn Kilgard J. L. Newbern Middle School
Valdosta City Schools
Rose Wilhite Sally Dailey Meadows Elementary School
Vidalia City Schools
Susan Neal Gilbert Elementary School Walker County Schools
Donna Harrison Loganville Primary School
Walton County Schools
Charles Taylor Waycross Middle School
Ware County Schools
Ericka Anderson Sandersville Elementary School
Washington County Schools
Jill Harris Odum Elementary School Wayne County Schools

Local System
2002 Teachers of the Year

Dina Lightner L. K. Moss Primary School Marion County Schools
Dorothy Kay Thomson Middle School McDuffie County Schools
Emilee Braddy Manchester High School Meriwether County Schools
Hazel Walker Morgan County Middle School
Morgan County Schools
Kim Coady Heard Mixon Elementary School
Newton County Schools
Carole Langley Malcom Bridge Middle School
Oconee County Schools
Leslie Jones Oglethorpe County Elementary School
Oglethorpe County Schools
Linda Segars Matthews Learning Center Paulding County Schools
Beth Brown Bryon Elementary School
Peach County Schools
Brenda Ferros Pelham City Middle School
Pelham City Schools
Dwayne Petty Pickens County Middle School
Pickens County Schools

Scott Kirkland Patterson Elementary School
Pierce County Schools
Tracey Granger Pike County Primary School
Pike County Schools
Kathy Carr Cherokee Elementary School
Polk County Schools
Kathleen Ferris-Hadidi Pulaski County Elementary School
Pulaski County Schools
Becky Cross Rabun Gap Community School
Rabun County Schools
Judith Mealing A. R. Johnson High School Richmond County Schools
Nancy Glenzer Memorial Middle School Rockdale County Schools
Barbara Kobek Elm Street Elementary School
Rome City Schools
Hugh Golson Savannah Arts Academy Savannah-Chatham County Schools
Krista Aaron Screven County Middle School
Screven County Schools
Annette Batchelor Seminole County High School
Seminole County Schools

Finalists
2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Charles Taylor
Mathematics/Reading/Social Studies Teacher Waycross Middle School, Ware County Schools Bachelor's Degree in History Education, Michigan State University; Master's Degree in Social Studies, Auburn University; and Specialist in Education, Valdosta State University "My greatest contribution to education has been and still is being a positive role model for students, especially black males, and to other teachers. Because of my dedication and love for teaching, I see teaching as a calling and not just a job. I take pride in knowing that, day in and day out and year in and year out, I have given the very best of myself in hopes of getting the very best from all of my students."
Frances Trice
Kindergarten Teacher Upson-Lee North Elementary School, Thomaston-Upson County Schools Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood and Master's Degree in Elementary Education, State University of West Georgia "I look forward to every day as I head for the classroom. I consider my greatest contribution to education to be my enthusiasm. Each day I teach is a day on which I get excited. This enthusiasm relates directly to my accomplishments as my children find out they CAN read, as many become outstanding students in later grades, and as some have come back as parents and said, `I remember being in your class, and I wish my child could have you too." To what higher accomplishments could a teacher aspire."

Semifinalists
2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Joyce Cheek
Mathematics Teacher Harlem High School, Columbia County Schools
Jan Godwin
Physics/Biology/Physical Science Teacher Cook High School, Cook County Schools
Judy Holwell
Biology/Chemistry/Anatomy Teacher Colquitt County High School, Colquitt County Schools
Carole Langley
Eighth-Grade Mathematics Teacher Malcomb Bridge Middle School, Oconee County Schools

Local System
2002 Teachers of the Year

Kimberley Bagwell Tallapoosa Primary School Haralson County Schools
Jennifer Parker Mulberry Creek Elementary School
Harris County Schools
Ann Skelton Hart County Middle School
Hart County Schools
Marie Gilham Heard Elementary School
Heard County Schools
Regina Holland Hickory Flat Elementary School
Henry County Schools
Katherine Shelton Perry Middle School Houston County Schools
Pamela Haire Irwin County High School
Irwin County Schools
Ronald Story East Jackson Middle School
Jackson County Schools
Veronda Gillis Jeff Davis High School Jeff Davis County Schools
Charles Cofer Jefferson County High School
Jefferson County Schools
Dr. Natalie Whittle Jenkins County High School
Jenkins County Schools

Grace Moore Johnson County High School
Johnson County Schools
Christopher Hightower Lamar County High School
Lamar County Schools
Marina Ortiz Lanier County High School
Lanier County Schools
Anita Graham East Laurens Elementary School
Laurens County Schools
Kay Heath Lee County Primary School
Lee County Schools
Dr. Mattie Brown Jordye Bacon Elementary School
Liberty County Schools
Pam Norman Lincoln County Elementary School
Lincoln County Schools
Kenneth Overman Hahira Elementary School Lowndes County Schools
Cindy Hunsinger Long Branch Elementary School
Lumpkin County Schools
Dr. Elmer Clark Madison County High School
Madison County Schools
Logii Barnes-Pinion Park Street Elementary School
Marietta City Schools

Local System
2002 Teachers of the Year

Beverly Puckett Susie Dasher Elementary School
Dublin City Schools
Beverly Smith Early County Elementary School
Early County Schools
Mary Godlove South Effingham Middle School
Effingham County Schools
Margaret Purvis Falling Creek Elementary School
Elbert County Schools
Toni Terwilliger Swainsboro High School Emanuel County Schools
Anita Dasher Claxton High School Evans County Schools
Jill Gwatney East Fannin Elementary School
Fannin County Schools
Linda Goetze Brem Fayette County High School
Fayette County Schools
Jennifer Hunt Rusaw Pepperell Elementary School
Floyd County Schools
Elaine Taylor Otwell Middle School Forsyth County Schools
Wayne Randall Franklin County High School
Franklin County Schools

Amber Weldon-Stephens Alpharetta Elementary School
Fulton County Schools
Carolyn Mahar Enota Elementary School Gainesville City Schools
Dr. Mark Stallings Gilmer High School Gilmer County Schools
Tanya Ansley Glascock County Consolidated School
Glascock County Schools
Beth Cain Satilla Marsh Elementary School
Glynn County Schools
Susan Burgess Sonoraville East Middle School
Gordon County Schools
Judy Pollock Washington Middle School
Grady County Schools
Pamela Nutt Moore Elementary School Griffin-Spalding County Schools
Dana Lowe Duluth High School Gwinnett County Schools
Patricia Bell Habersham Central High School
Habersham County Schools
Kelley Trippe Myers Elementary School
Hall County Schools

Semifinalists
2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Kristin Skelly
All Subjects Fourth-Grade Teacher Arbor Springs Elementary School, Coweta County Schools
Kelly Walls
Gifted Education Science Teacher Banks County Middle School, Banks County Schools
Toni Wilkerson
General Social Studies Teacher Jonesboro Middle School, Clayton County Schools
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
2002 Teachers of the Year

Gail Carter Appling County High School
Appling County Schools
Oreather Bostick-Morgan T. H. Slater Elementary School
Atlanta City Schools
Debbie Amason Creekside Elementary School
Baldwin County Schools
Kelly Walls Banks County Middle School
Banks County Schools
William Pharr, Jr. Russell Middle School Barrow County Schools
Leigh Conduff Cloverleaf Elementary School
Bartow County Schools
Susan Singleton Fitzgerald High School Ben Hill County Schools
Angie Cornelius Berrien High School Berrien County Schools
Dawn Jordan Westside High School Bibb County Schools
Jill Higgins Quitman Elementary School
Brooks County Schools
Linda Fix Bryan County High School
Bryan County Schools

Lacrecia Smith Buford Elementary School
Buford City Schools
Tammy Davis Langston Chapel Middle School
Bulloch County Schools
Cherry King S. G. A. Elementary School
Burke County Schools
Martha McMahan Jackson Elementary School
Butts County Schools
Jane Voinch Calhoun Elementary School
Calhoun City Schools
Maura Fegel St. Marys Elementary School
Camden County Schools
Amy Holt Metter Elementary School Candler County Schools
Karen Wild Sharp Creek Elementary School
Carroll County Schools
Aprill Jones-Byrd Carrollton Junior High School
Carrollton City Schools
Jodi James Cartersville Primary School
Cartersville City Schools
Annastasia Holcomb-Hanna Boynton Elementary School Catoosa County Schools

Local System
2002 Teachers of the Year

Deborah Gowen Folkston Elementary School
Charlton County Schools
Janet Miller Chattooga High School Chattooga County Schools
Melanie Phillips Tippens Elementary School Cherokee County Schools
Wanda Culpepper Whit Davis Elementary School
Clarke County Schools
Toni Wilkerson Jonesboro Middle School Clayton County Schools
Betsy Bunte Campbell High School Cobb County Schools
Michael Tanner Coffee High School Coffee County Schools
Judy Holwell Colquitt County High School
Colquitt County Schools
Joyce Cheek Harlem High School Columbia County Schools
Wanda Bagwell Commerce High School Commerce City Schools
Jan Godwin Cook High School Cook County Schools

Kristin Skelly Arbor Springs Elementary School
Coweta County Schools
Sarah McCall Crawford County Elementary School
Crawford County Schools
Pamela Braziel A. S. Clark Elementary School
Crisp County Schools
John Patrick Dalton Middle School Dalton City Schools
Kristi Gerrells Dawson County Middle School
Dawson County Schools
Jewel Magee Westchester Elementary School
Decatur City Schools
Colonel Gary Breedlove Bainbridge High School Decatur County Schools
JoAnne Nagel Dunwoody High School DeKalb County Schools
Charlotte Miller Dodge County High School
Dodge County Schools
Margaret Griffis Lamar Reese Elementary School
Dougherty County Schools
Mandy Johnson Chapel Hill High School Douglas County Schools