CelebraGtiAoneofoExrcelglen2icea00T3eacher of the Year Recognition Banquet April 26, 2002 Crowne Plaza Hotel Macon, 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. Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 20 of 20 All Rights Reserved Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 2 of 20 All Rights Reserved 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year Special Thanks To BANQUET SPONSORS State Board of Education Georgia Department of Education Georgia Power Company King and Spivey Enterprises CONFERENCE SPONSORS Blue Bell Creameries L.P. Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) Georgia Department of Education Georgia Power Company Georgia Teachers of the Year Association Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) GIFT DONORS Coca Cola Company The School Box The Kroger Company Jameson Inns Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Blue Bell Creameries L.P. Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) College Fund Division/Midwest Life Insurance Company Shaw Industries Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Herff Jones, Inc. Jostens, Inc. Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 19 of 20 All Rights Reserved A Special Thanks We extend a special thanks to the Bainbridge High School Air Force Junior ROTC and the Briarlake Elementary School Signing Choir. AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC COLOR GUARD Bainbridge High School COLOR GUARD MEMBERS Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Jacquelyn Fisher Cadet Captain Joshua Wintje Cadet Captain Melanie Kennedy Cadet Captain Shanta Grice PLEDGE LEADER Cadet Lieutenant Johnathan Mitchell PUBLIC AFFAIRS Cadet Captain Jarad Smith LEADER Colonel Gary Breedlove PRINCIPAL Mr. Ralph D. Jones SUPERINTENDENT Dr. James L. Pate BRIARLAKE SIGNING CHOIR Briarlake Elementary School The Briarlake Signing Choir has been in existence since 1983. It began as a way of involving hearing students with deaf students, which is an important part of the mainstreaming process for the Total Communication program. This year's Signing Choir consists of thirty-seven fourth- and fifth-grade students. They have done many performances one of which was signing the National Anthem at Superbowl XXXIV with singing star Faith Hill. DIRECTORS Debbie Lee Polly Simpson PRINCIPAL Mrs. Donna L. Petrides SUPERINTENDENT Dr. James R. Hallford Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 18 of 20 All Rights Reserved 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year Lorraine Johnson Social Studies/Language Arts Teacher Arnall Middle School, Coweta County Schools Bachelor's Degree in Education, West Georgia College Master's Degree in Education, State University of West Georgia Specialist's Degree in Education, State University of West Georgia Lorraine Johnson remembers attending five different schools her first six grades. Each year was the samenew friends, new teachers, new surroundings. However, on the first day of sixth grade things changed; she met Mrs. Link. Mrs. Link took her hand and squeezed it. "I know you're new this year: I am too," Mrs. Link replied. "Maybe we can help each other." Mrs. Link created a warm, nurturing, family-like environment in her classroom. She expected the best of all of her students and set high standards. She believed in and encouraged her students to try new and different things. Mrs. Link was the turning point for Ms. Johnson. She was her role model and she wanted to be like her. Ms. Johnson knows that what she does, what she says, and how she reacts will impact future generations, and that is a powerful inspiration to begin each new day. Ms. Johnson has been school-level Teacher of the Year at her two previous schools and twice at Arnall Middle School, her current school. She has also been a two-time system-level Teacher of the Year for Coweta County and was nominated for the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Honor Teacher Award twice. She has been listed four times in Who's Who Among American Teachers and has been a member of Kappa Delta Pi (Educational Honor Society) and Alpha Delta Kappa (International Honorary Society). She serves her community through various organizations and church- related groups and activities. When thinking of one great contribution or accomplishment in education, Ms. Johnson can think of nothing extraordinary. Instead, she thinks of the small things she does each and every day and knows that she makes a difference. She states that the successes of those she teaches, whether adults or children, are her greatest accomplishments, no matter how small or how intangible. "I am a teacher because I make a difference." Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 3 of 20 All Rights Reserved PROGRAM WELCOME Linda C. Schrenko State Superintendent of Schools PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND PLEDGE Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard Bainbridge High School GREETINGS Marquette McKnight State Board of Education ENTERTAINMENT Briarlake Signing Choir Debbie Lee and Polly Simpson, Directors INVOCATION Phil Hulst Interim Deputy Superintendent Georgia Department of Education DINNER Field of Dreams Salad Filet Mignon Fresh Broccoli with Julienne Carrots Herb Roasted New Potatoes Warm Toasty Rolls Southern Pecan Pie Coffee, Iced Tea INTRODUCTION AND RECOGNITION OF CONFERENCE AND BANQUET SPONSORS Linda C. Schrenko Blue Bell Creameries L.P. Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) Georgia Power Company Georgia Teachers of the Year Association King and Spivey Enterprises Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) 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 Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 4 of 20 All Rights Reserved Roll of Excellence Georgia Teachers of the Year 2002 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 Dr. Mark Stallings 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 Gilmer County 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 Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 17 of 20 All Rights Reserved Local System 2003 Teachers of the Year Dana Myers Danville Elementary School Twiggs County Schools Stephanie Sharrock Union County Elementary School Union County Schools Mary Hand Valdosta High School Valdosta City Schools Salain Meadows J. D. Dickerson Primary School Vidalia City Schools Anthony Goss Rossville Middle School Walker County Schools Suzanne Roginski Loganville Middle School Walton County Schools Wendy Good Ruskin Elementary School Ware County Schools Penny Pharis Washington County High School Washington County Schools Linda Eckle Wayne County High School Wayne County Schools Mary Hoston Webster County Elementary School Webster County Schools Dawn Shaw Jack P. Nix Primary School White County Schools Audrey Williams Valley Point Middle School Whitfield County Schools Tiffany McGaughey Washington-Wilkes High School Wilkes County Schools Kristi Littleton Worth County High 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 Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 16 of 20 All Rights Reserved SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Dr. Mark Stallings 2002 Georgia Teacher of the Year Hannah Wells Space Camp Winner Eighth-Grade Student Gilmer County Middle School, Gilmer County Schools Mr. Larry Flowers Branch Bank and Trust Company 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 2003 Linda C. Schrenko ADDRESS Lorraine Johnson 2003 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 L.P. Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) College Fund Division/Midwest Life Insurance Company Shaw Industries Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Herff Jones, Inc. Jostens, Inc. CLOSING REMARKS Linda C. Schrenko Thank you for your continued support of excellent classroom teaching Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 5 of 20 All Rights Reserved Finalists 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year Dr. Margaret Sims Runner-up English Teacher Marietta High School, Marietta City Schools Bachelor's Degree in English, Master's Degree in English Education, and Doctorate in Professional Educational Services, Delta State University "The desire to share my delight in learning simmered below the surface while I married and raised a family, not to resurface until I began spending much of my time volunteering in the classroom in my children's elementary school. Being in the class every day and seeing the possibilities to nurture the joy of learning and the spirit of inquiry became the catalyst in my decision to continue my education and to become a teacher. My greatest contributions to education have come student by student, usually unheralded, sometimes hard won, but always with profound awareness of the impact of the teacher on tomorrow's generation." Rebecca Curry Gifted Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Teacher St. Marys Elementary School, Camden County Schools Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Master's Degree in Elementary Education, Armstrong Atlantic State University; Specialist's Degree in Elementary Education, Brenau University "At each and every low point in my life, there has been a teacher that reached out her hand to me, spoke an encouraging word, or helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Fully realizing the impact that a teacher can have on others, I am ever watchful of those around me who need encouragement. I look for the broken child that I once was, and try to honor the memory of the special teachers in my life. I will give hugs readily, smiles constantly, and special recognition whenever possible. As that tiny hand reaches up to take mine and our eyes meet, let me convey to this child that the teacher inside of me once walked in his shoes. My greatest accomplishment lies in his eyes as he recognizes his own potential." Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 6 of 20 All Rights Reserved Local System 2003 Teachers of the Year Mary McWilliams Putnam County High School Putnam County Schools Joyce Green Rabun County High School Rabun County Schools Vicky Bedell Southside Elementary School Richmond County Schools Kim Hankins Peek's Chapel Elementary School Rockdale County Schools Robert Harris Rome Middle School Rome City Schools Lucille McAbee Islands Elementary School Savannah-Chatham County Schools Deborah Dees Screven County High School Screven County Schools Harriet Lane Seminole County High School Seminole County Schools Ann Pitner Social Circle Middle School Social Circle City Schools John Bridges Stephens County High School Stephens County Schools Elaine Bush Stewart-Quitman High School Stewart County Schools Tina Cook Sarah Cobb Elementary School Sumter County Schools Pamela Stratton Taliaferro County Charter School Taliaferro County Schools Mary Lyons Telfair County Middle School Telfair County Schools Brenda Taylor Carver Elementary School Terrell County Schools Fredricia Hardy Cross Creek Elementary School Thomas County Schools Jan Simmons Upson-Lee South Elementary School Thomaston-Upson County Schools Phyllis Branch Charles Spencer Elementary School Tift County Schools Terri Overstreet Toombs County High School Toombs County Schools Beth Wilson Trion Elementary School Trion City Schools Florence Rogers West Side Magnet School Troup County Schools Scotty Price Turner County Elementary School Turner County Schools Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 15 of 20 All Rights Reserved Local System 2003 Teachers of the Year Dr. Margaret Sims Marietta High School Marietta City Schools Ann Howell L. K. Moss Primary School Marion County Schools Anita Cummings Thomson Middle School McDuffie County Schools Tara Rocha Todd Grant Elementary School McIntosh County Schools Terri Ruttinger-Bucklan Unity Elementary School Meriwether County Schools Dawn Shepard Miller County Elementary School Miller County Schools Emma Keaton Mitchell County Middle School Mitchell County Schools Susan McMillan Monroe CrossRoads Academy Monroe County Schools Rhonda Batchelor Morgan County Middle School Morgan County Schools Peggy Quarles Murray County High School Murray County Schools Janice Hudson Columbus High School Muscogee County Schools William Aiken, Jr. Heard-Mixon Elementary School Newton County Schools Jane Holman Oconee County Primary School Oconee County Schools Penny Miller Oglethorpe County Middle School Oglethorpe County Schools Sue Falco Dallas Elementary School Paulding County Schools Eva Fisher Bryon Elementary School Peach County Schools David Todd Pelham High School Pelham City Schools Joan Rutledge Jasper Primary School Pickens County Schools Pamela Baker Pierce County High School Pierce County Schools Elaine Mangham Pike County High School Pike County Schools Debbie Dingler Northside Elementary School Polk County Schools Sandra Woods Pulaski County Elementary School Pulaski County Schools Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 14 of 20 All Rights Reserved Finalists 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year Janice Hudson Physics/Physiology Teacher Columbus High School, Muscogee County Schools Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology, University of Tennessee; Master's Degree in Administration, Columbus College; Specialist's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Columbus State University "When a full-time teaching position opened in the Medical Technology program at Columbus College, I decided to apply and was hired. The student contact, the `light bulbs' that were turned on, and the opportunity to contribute to another person were situations that made me realize that teaching IS for me. I think science is important and staying on-task in the classroom is imperative, but I see my most outstanding contributions as communicating to parents about the value of their children, boosting the image of those students who have begun to doubt their worth, and exuding excitement about the subject that many people consider beyond their reach." Rachel "Charlie" Tripp Title I Reading Teacher Roan School, Dalton City Schools Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, University of Georgia; Master's Degree and Specialist's Degree in Early Childhood Education with EIS Endorsement, State University of West Georgia "At the age of eight, I turned one of my father's dirty old vans into a school. I carried in lots of books for my students to read, and I often read aloud to them. I remember that I loved each and every one of my students and I called them all by name. These children did not truly exist but they were real to me. Without realizing it, I had created a classroom that I must have longed to have myselfone in which the teacher treated students with respect and kindness while providing an exciting learning environment for every child. Year after year I have become more involved in what I love mostteaching children. In the classroom I am the `best me' that I know how to be. I have given hope to struggling students and confidence to high achieving students. When I look children in the eye and promise them that they will learn how to read, I can keep that promise." Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 7 of 20 All Rights Reserved Semifinalists 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year Oreather Bostick-Morgan Speech Language Pathology Teacher T. H. Slater Elementary School, Atlanta City Schools Mary Bradbury-Bailey Physical Science/Biology I and II/Anatomy Teacher Cedar Shoals High School, Clarke County Schools Brian Campbell Biology/Advanced Placement Biology Teacher Greenbrier High School, Columbia County Schools Dr. John Howeth Chemistry/Physics Teacher Lowndes High School, Lowndes County Schools Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 8 of 20 All Rights Reserved Local System 2003 Teachers of the Year Debbie Clark Hall County Evening High School Hall County Schools Mary McPherson Haralson County High School Haralson County Schools Tammy Harris Mulberry Creek Elementary School Harris County Schools Annice Bender Hart County Middle School Hart County Schools Phillip Smith Heard Elementary School Heard County Schools Rosetta Riddle Stockbridge High School Henry County Schools Jennifer Hall Parkwood Elementary School Houston County Schools George Tucker Irwin County High School Irwin County Schools Sandy Bradshaw South Jackson Elementary School Jackson County Schools Sharon Rothwell Jeff Davis Middle School Jeff Davis County Schools Gail Elrod Jefferson Elementary School Jefferson City Schools Damita Bynes Louisville Middle School Jefferson County Schools Willie Haynes, Jr. Jenkins County High School Jenkins County Schools Alice Nesbitt Johnson County Middle School Johnson County Schools Joy Varner Lamar County High School Lamar County Schools Sylvia Ragan Lanier County High School Lanier County Schools Rosa English East Laurens Elementary School Laurens County Schools Priscilla Hammond Lee County Primary School Lee County Schools James Etheridge Liberty County High School Liberty County Schools Dr. John Howeth Lowndes High School Lowndes County Schools James Gibson Lumpkin County High School Lumpkin County Schools Shirley Aaron Madison County Middle School Madison County Schools Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 13 of 20 All Rights Reserved Local System 2003 Teachers of the Year Susan Thornton Dublin High School Dublin City Schools Shirley Alexander Early County Elementary School Early County Schools Kristie Long Springfield Central Elementary School Effingham County Schools Jan Walters Doves Creek Elementary School Elbert County Schools Lynn Torrance Swainsboro Middle School Emanuel County Schools Robin Kirkland Claxton Elementary School Evans County Schools Barry Abbott Fannin High School Fannin County Schools Lisa Fine Rising Starr Middle School Fayette County Schools Earlene Cameron Alto Park Elementary School Floyd County Schools Debra Carnaroli Matt Elementary School Forsyth County Schools Joy Jordan Royston Elementary School Franklin County Schools Barbara Wolf Roswell High School Fulton County Schools Sonya Barrett Gainesville High School Gainesville City Schools Elizabeth Simonds Oakland Elementary School Gilmer County Schools Cheryl Anderson Glascock County Consolidated School Glascock County Schools Diann Meeks Glynn Academy High School Glynn County Schools Sue Gable Gordon Central High School Gordon County Schools Dr. Don Mobley Washington Middle School Grady County Schools Stephanie Hart Greensboro Elementary School Greene County Schools Theresa Moreland Opportunity Academy Griffin-Spalding County Schools Dr. Frederick Creed Parkview High School Gwinnett County Schools Marcia Martin Habersham Central High School Habersham County Schools Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 12 of 20 All Rights Reserved Semifinalists 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year Diann Meeks World/U.S. History/Citzenship/Georgraphy/Economics Teacher Glynn Academy High School, Glynn County Schools Martha Smith Fifth-Grade Remedial/Language Arts/SIA/Gifted Teacher H. A. Jones Elementary School, Bremen City Schools Barbara Wolf Mathematics Teacher Roswell High School, Fulton 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. Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 9 of 20 All Rights Reserved Local System 2003 Teachers of the Year Melanie Howard Fourth District Elementary School Appling County Schools Rebecca Josey Atkinson County High School Atkinson County Schools Oreather Bostick-Morgan T. H. Slater Elementary School Atlanta City Schools Glenda Stewart Southside Elementary School Baldwin County Schools Leah Wiltsie Banks County Upper Elementary School Banks County Schools Martha Johnson Apalachee High School Barrow County Schools Susan Stoddard Woodland High School Bartow County Schools Nancy Brinson Ben Hill Middle School Ben Hill County Schools Gladys Whipple Elam Alexander Academy Bibb County Schools Deborah Sawyer Bleckley Elementary School Bleckley County Schools Martha Smith H. A. Jones Elementary School Bremen City Schools Tara Moss Quitman Elementary School Brooks County Schools Anna Misley Buford Academy Buford City Schools Patia Crump Southeast Bulloch Middle School Bulloch County Schools Jean Williams Burke County High School Burke County Schools Obie Johnson, Jr. Henderson Middle School Butts County Schools Julie Stephens Calhoun Elementary School Calhoun City Schools Cynthia Childs Calhoun County Elementary School Calhoun County Schools Rebecca Curry St. Marys Elementary School Camden County Schools Brian Daughtry Metter Middle School Candler County Schools Julie Cook Carrollton High School Carrollton City Schools Diane Hassler Cartersville Middle School Cartersville City Schools Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 10 of 20 All Rights Reserved Local System 2003 Teachers of the Year Elizabeth Davis Lakeview Middle School Catoosa County Schools Barbara Smiley Bethune Elementary School Charlton County Schools Christa Lambert Lyerly Elementary School Chattooga County Schools Gail Johnson Crossroads Middle/High School Cherokee County Schools Mary Bradbury-Bailey Cedar Shoals High School Clarke County Schools Sharon Brown Jonesboro High School Clayton County Schools Jennifer Frisch Lost Mountain Middle School Cobb County Schools Tina Tucker Broxton-Mary Hayes Elementary School Coffee County Schools Shirley Davis Colquitt County High School Colquitt County Schools Brian Campbell Greenbrier High School Columbia County Schools Lisa Vaughn Commerce High School Commerce City Schools Paulette Pittman Cook Elementary School Cook County Schools Lorraine Johnson Arnall Middle School Coweta County Schools Donald Clark Crawford County High School Crawford County Schools Marsha Cauley Blackshear Trail Elementary School Crisp County Schools Rachel Tripp Roan School Dalton City Schools Tony Weaver Dawson County High School Dawson County Schools Virginia Maxfield Oakhurst at Fifth Avenue Elementary School Decatur City Schools Mary White West Bainbridge Middle School Decatur County Schools Christine Edmondson Indian Creek Elementary School DeKalb County Schools Charles Hernandez Dodge County High School Dodge County Schools Patricia Mills Alexander High School Douglas County Schools Georgia Department of Education Linda C. Schrenko, State Superintendent of Schools April 2002 Page 11 of 20 All Rights Reserved