Clarke Central High School English department teacher and Foundation for Excellence Freida M. Thomas Teacher of Promise nominee Lindsay Coleman-Taylor poses for a picture in Room 332 on March 26. The award recognizes outstanding teachers who possess less than four years of experience and presents $500 to the winner. “I was nominated by another member of my team, Ms. McNeeley. She’s one of the few people who sees how much work I do on a day-to-day basis, so I think she wanted to acknowledge the amount of work and the amount of dedication that I put it into this job, especially this early in my career,” Coleman-Taylor said. Photo by Luna Reichert
Fourteen Clarke Central High School teachers have been nominated for awards from the Foundation for Excellence in Public Education.
Each year, the Foundation for Excellence in Public Education recognizes multiple award recipients. To be eligible for the award, a teacher must first be nominated by a principal/supervisor, colleague, student, parent or community member. Nominees must then complete an extensive application process. Thereafter, winners are chosen from the pool of nominees during the first day of pre-planning.
Applications for Foundation for Excellence in Public Education 2019 awards closed April 1, and 14 Clarke Central High School teachers were among the pool of 119 Clarke County School District teachers who completed applications. Nominees have the opportunity to receive recognition and up to $1,000 in award money depending on the award.
“For every nominee, regardless of the award, we look for people who have a passion for kids, whether that’s a teacher, or a bus driver or a cafeteria worker, they see themselves as important in the education of children,” Executive Director of the Foundation Board C.J. Amason said.
Photos by Luna Reichert
CCHS social worker and Howard B. Stroud Community Service Award nominee Bianca Culver agrees that being passionate about working with kids is what can make an educator stand out.
“(My colleagues) have said they feel like since I’ve been here I’ve made an impact on students and families, and I’m very compassionate about what I do,” Culver said. “Not originally being from Athens, I have (tried to) provide some service to this community, and kind of made it a second home to myself.”
For CCHS English department teacher and Freida M. Thomas Teacher of Promise Award nominee Lindsay Coleman-Taylor, the awards are important in order to recognize the exemplary work of teachers.
“It feels fantastic to be recognized among my peers. I work with a lot of outstanding teachers, and so it feels good to be recognized as one of them.” Coleman-Taylor said. “The amount of work and the amount of dedication that I put it into this job (is being acknowledged).”
The nominees were recognized at the annual Nominee’s Tea, which was held at Trumps Catering on April 8 at 4 p.m. Dr. Joan Humpries, retired CCSD principal and district official, Amason, CCSD superintendent Dr. Demond Means and others spoke at the event.
For CCHS English department teacher Ginger Lehmann, who was recognized as Star Teacher at the Nominee’s Tea, the gathering was impactful.
“It is always inspiring to be in a room with fellow teachers and staff who are passionate about doing the best we can for students,” Lehmann said. “I enjoyed learning about the history of FFE and how it grew out of a desire to acknowledge excellence in teaching. Teachers work so hard, and being recognized for the work we do motivates us to keep putting forth the effort. Several of the speakers told stories that reminded me that the impact of teachers really does matter.”
- Chris Aiken
- Ian Altman
- Suzette Braden
- Lindsay Coleman-Taylor
- Bianca Culver
- Donald Hollman
- Chris Hulse
- Heather Julian
- Meghan McNeeley
- David Ragsdale
- Summer Smith
- Elijah Swift
- John Walker
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