CClarke Middle School social studies department teacher Chris Batson and Clarke Central High School Family Engagement Specialist Christian Barner have been recognized as the 2024-25 Clarke County School District Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year, respectively. Barner was recognized as the 2015-16 CCSD Teacher of the Year while he was an English department teacher at CCHS. “Having been in that (teaching) position and understanding its importance, understanding how everything revolves really around the classroom experience, I think that really helped me get to where I am now,” Barner said. Graphic by Wyatt Meyer
The CCSD recognized 2024-25 Teacher of the Year Chris Batson and Support Professional of the Year Christian Barner at an awards banquet on Oct. 24.
For the second time in eight years, Christian Barner has been recognized by the Clarke County School District for his contributions to Clarke Central High School.
Barner, CCHS’ Family Engagement Specialist, was recognized as the CCSD’s Support Professional of the Year at an awards banquet at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education on Oct. 24. The award comes less than a decade since he was recognized as the 2015-16 CCSD Teacher of the Year when he worked as a CCHS English department teacher.
Clarke Middle School social studies department teacher Chris Batson, a 12-year CMS veteran, was announced as the CCSD’s Teacher of the Year at the same event.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” Barner said. “Today, I’ve been getting all these text messages and emails from people throughout the district, even families and friends of mine. That’s been really nice.”
Barner and Batson both underwent a months-long application process to be considered for the CCSD awards. Each advanced from a pool of school nominees and were then selected by a committee for each award.
“The two winners chosen to represent our district with these awards from among an extraordinary group of highly qualified educators and support staff truly embody our district’s mission of creating educational journeys that empower all students to fulfill their potential,” CCSD Superintendent Dr. Robbie P. Hooker stated in an Oct. 25 press release.
“QI believe that all students are capable of achieving, we just don’t always find the path or avenue to get them hooked and see the relevance of what we are teaching to their own lives,”
— Chris Batson,
CMS social studies department teacher and 2024-25 CCSD Teacher of the Year
Both winners received monetary rewards from local Athens organizations. Barner was awarded $2,500 from the Georgia United Credit Union, while Batson received a total of $7,500 from several award sponsors including GUCU and car dealerships Akins Ford and Heyward Allen Cadillac GMC.
Batson will also progress to the state Teacher of the Year competition, where he will go up against teachers from other school districts from around Georgia.
“I believe that all students are capable of achieving, we just don’t always find the path or avenue to get them hooked and see the relevance of what we are teaching to their own lives,” Batson wrote in his district award application published in the press release. “The more we are consciously working to improve what we are teaching and funnel it through a student-focused lens, the better off all of our students will be.”
