Clarke Central High School’s Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year are displayed. The Clarke County School District announced school winners of the awards in an Aug. 26 press release, with further recognition pending on social media. “All school-level winners listed below will be featured on CCSD’s Facebook and Instagram pages over the next several weeks,” the press release stated. Graphic by Wyatt Meyer
Fine arts department teacher Leslie Sokal-Berg and Family Engagement Specialist Christian Barner were recognized by the CCSD.
Leslie Sokal-Berg and Christian Barner are Clarke Central High School’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year, respectively.
The Clarke County School District announced the school winners of the competitions in an Aug. 26 press release. Teachers met a variety of criteria imposed by the Georgia Department of Education to be nominated.
“Every day, teachers and staff members throughout our district work tirelessly to create a school culture and environment where all students and staff feel welcomed, safe, and empowered to succeed. These school-level winners serve as key ambassadors in those efforts,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie P. Hooker stated in the press release.
Fine arts department teacher Sokal-Berg, Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education department teachers Jaclyn Brown and Levi Carr-Brooks, and English department co-chair Meghan McNeeley were named finalists on Aug. 21. An online vote to determine the winner followed.
“It’s incredibly humbling and such a huge honor. I think Clarke Central has the best faculty around, and to even be nominated is mind blowing,” Sokal-Berg said.
A timeline shows the teachers awarded as Clarke Central High School Teacher of the Year from 2001 to 2024. Leslie Sokal-Berg was recognized as the 2024-25 CCHS Teacher of the Year by the Clarke County School District. “Every day, teachers and staff members throughout our district work tirelessly to create a school culture and environment where all students and staff feel welcomed, safe, and empowered to succeed. These school-level winners serve as key ambassadors in those efforts,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie P. Hooker stated in an Aug. 26 press release. Data compiled by David Ragsdale, Christian Barner and Jodi Bolga, photos courtesy of ODYSSEY Media Group and Gladius yearbook archives, timeline by Lea D’Angelo.
Family Engagement Specialist Barner, a 12-year veteran of CCHS and former Teacher of the Year, was recognized from a field of finalists announced Aug. 21 that included custodian Blanca Lynch and bookkeeper Maggie Magana.
“It is an honor to be recognized from among all the incredible staff members at Clarke Central. I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside people who care about their community and work so hard each day to make it a better place,” Barner said.
“It’s incredibly humbling and such a huge honor. I think Clarke Central has the best faculty around, and to even be nominated is mind blowing.”
— Leslie Sokal-Berg,
CCHS’ 2024 Teacher of the Year
Sokal-Berg and Barner will be recognized at the CCSD’s Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year awards banquet on Oct. 24, where a CCSD winner from each category will be announced. The CCSD Teacher of the Year will then compete at the state level.
“Congratulations to all of our teachers and support staff who have been selected by their peers to represent their schools and buildings for the 2024-25 school year,” Hooker stated in the press release.
