of
The John H. Lounsbury School of Education
Pam Brookins Chosen as 2008 "A Day Made
Better" Teacher by Office Max
Pam Brookins Chosen as 2008 "A Day Made
Better" Teacher by Office Max
Pam Brookins was chosen as one of the 1000 Office Max teachers for "A Day Made Better. She earned her B.S., M.Ed., and Ed.S. in Early Childhood Education from GCSU. Currently she teaches at Creekside Elementary School; she also teaches part-time for GCSU in Regents' Reading and Pre-Education Courses.
From Pam Brookins: I just wanted to share with you all what happened to me on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. As I was teaching, all of these people started coming into my room with a video camera and lots of other things. It ended up being a team of people from Office Max. It was their "A Day Made Better" recognition of 1,000 teachers across the nation. I was selected as one of those teachers and received over $1,000 worth of supplies for my classroom. I was nominated by our school secretary and was the only one from Baldwin County selected. I am so honored to have received this award. You will find pictures attached of the things that I received. There was also a cake....but we ate it. I did not have my camera with me the day that this happened, so I just took pictures of everything today. The box that you see was full of the items that are on the table. Of all the items, I received everything else that you can think of that can be used in a classroom. When you have a chance, support Office Max because they really support teachers and schools.
Georgia Chair of the State Board of Education
Wanda Barrs: Governor Perdue appointed Wanda Barrs as the Chair of the State Board of Education
Wanda Barrs received her masters degree from GCSU. Wanda was formerly the chair of the Bleckley County Board of Education. Ms. Barrs works closely with Project Learning Tree and many of our students have visited her family tree farm in Cochran to receive their training in that project. Ms. Barrs noted in a phone conversation with Dean Fields that the teachers employed in Bleckley County who graduated from GCSU have proven themselves to be exemplary educators. She wants to talk with us more about our program so that she can share the good things we are doing in educator preparation. Her term expires in 2006.
State Level Teacher of the Year
2009
Stephanie Shelton
(MAT--Secondary Education, 2005) is one of the ten finalists for the 2009 State
Teacher of the Year Award. Her mentor leaders were Dr. Cynthia Alby and Dr.
Brian Mumma. Stephanie Shelton is an English teacher at Washington County High
School.
2007
Superintendent Kathy Cox and Pam Walker
Pam Walker has been named the 2007 Georgia Teacher of the Year. She is a science teacher in Douglas County. She teaches honors biology and physical science, as well as chemistry at Alexander High School and has written over 20 textbooks and resource books. She received both her bachelor and master's degrees from GCSU.
2007
Tiffany Flournoy, Houston County High School marketing education teacher, was named Georgia's outstanding new Marketing Education Teacher of the Year. She was honored during the annual Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education conference held in July 2007. Flournoy was nominated for the award by a Georgia marketing teacher. Nominees must submit recommendations and documentations of their accomplishments in marketing education and career and technical education before receiving the award. She earned her master's degree in Educational Leadership in 2007 from Georgia College.
2004
Reed Waldrep
Reed Waldrep
was elected as the Georgia Young Ag Teacher of the Year and
will compete in the
National Ag Conference in Las Vegas. Reed received his
B.S. from GCSU. His father, Larry Waldrep,
also graduated from GCSU--one
of the first male elementary majors.
Georgia State Department Names "Master
Teachers" This honor is based on test data and
professional qualities.
| 2006 |
Kaneice Lucas |
Ed.S. in Middle Grades Education |
| Nelanie McAfee |
B. S. Early Childhood Education, 1990 Master's in Early Childhood 1995 Leadership Cohort Member currently |
County Level Teacher of the Year
Alan Bowers won the Houston County
Teacher of the Year for 2008. Mr. Bowers was in Kevin Crabb's MAT cohort.
He teaches U.S. history, American government and geography. According to
Bowers, the most challenging thing about teaching is "combating student apathy
when it comes to motivation and success. However, this is a good problem
to have because it keeps the teachers sharp. If this were a challenge that
was was easy to overcome, the art and science of education would not be a
worthwhile pursuit."
Alan Bowers
Joan Martiny (Geza's wife) was honored
with the 2008 Teacher of the Year Award from Baldwin County. She graduated
from GCSU in 1978 and also received her M.Ed. from Georgia College in 1986.
In addition to this award, Mrs. Martiny has received the Carver Elementary
School Teacher of the Year (1984), the Davis Elementary Teacher of the Year
(1989), the Baldwin County Teacher of the Year (1989), and the Baldwin County
Cluster Teacher of the Year Award, (2007).
Joan Martiny
Patsy Crosby won the 2007-2008 Teacher of
the Year Award from Wilkinson County. She earned her Ed.S. from GCSU.
Currently Ms. Crosby teaches Consumer Science at Wilkinson Middle School
Patty Wells (left) is
congratulated by Jones Country Board of Education member Deloras Moon
Patty Wells was selected as the
2007-2008 Teacher of the Year from Jones County. She teaches at Clifton
Ridge.
Mrs. Wells earned a bachelor’s, specialist, and a master’s degree from
Georgia College & State University.
Wells’ initial training was in biology,
and she has taught science at various grade levels throughout her career.
Ms. Mitcham receives award from LeBrun
Karen Mitcham was named Jones County Teacher of the Year,
2006-2007.
Amanda Tarpley Yarbrough received Laurens
County's "Exceptional Children's Professional Excellence Award" for 2007.
Out of the nine schools within the district, Amanda was voted the top SPED
teacher. She was a graduate of the GCSU
Early Childhood master's program in 2007 and earned her B.S. in Special
Education from GCSU in 2003.
Dr. Rita Thomas was
selected Teacher of the Year for Putnam County 2006-2007. She earned her
M.Ed. in Early Childhood at GCSU in 1999.
Currently she is the Media Specialist at Putnam County Elementary School.
Union Recorder Article About Rita Thomas
Rita Thomas
Leslie Poythress
received first Teacher of the Year Award from Jones County, 2005-2006.
Nicole Chambers Brewer
Nicole Chambers Brewer (Middle Grades
Alumna, Cohort 2002) was awarded the Houston County Teacher of the year
Award for 2006-2007. She teaches seventh grade at Thomson Middle School.
Paige Barlow selected as Teacher of the
Year from Putnam County for 2006. She earned a B.S. in Art Education at GCSU.
Article in October 14, 2006 Union Recorder
Lianna Nix
Lianna Nix, (Alumna, Cohort
Class of 2001 & Early College teacher) was selected
middle School
Teacher of the Year for Jasper County.
Amie Renfroe Harrison (Alumna,
Cohort Class of 2002) received the Program for
Exceptional Children Teacher
of the Year for Wilkinson County for 2004.
Susan Hendley Stone (Alumna, Spring
2000 Special Education Cohort) has been named Special Education
Teacher of the
Year for 2004 in Jasper County Schools. Susan, who also completed her
graduate study in Education
Leadership at GCSU, is the daughter of Dr. Tish Seay.
Stacy Sanders (Alumna Spring 2000
and GCSU Valedictorian ) was named Special Education Teacher
of the Year in
Laurens County, 2003. She is a teacher at East Laurens Middle School.
Cindy Hall Crew (Alumna Spring 1988)
was named Teacher of the Year for Cherokee County Schools in January
2003.
She is a teacher at Bacomb Elementary, Woodstock.
Regina Brookins (Alumna, Spring 1999)
was named Teacher of the Year for Johnson County, 2002-03. She is
a special education graduate who teaches students with mild intellectual
disabilities.
School Level Teacher of the Year
Jan Thompson received the
Blandy Hills Teacher of the Year Award for 2008. She is a 1992 alumna of
the GCSU Early Childhood Program. Jan also has been a host teacher for our GCSU
education students.
Melinda Davis was selected as the 2008 Teacher of the Year for Baldwin High School. She received her M.Ed. in Special Education in 2004 from GCSU.
Melanie Cobb won the Outstanding Teacher of the Year 2008 for The Early Learning Center. She graduated from GCSU in 1981, then she earned her M.Ed. from us in 1985. Ms. Cobb has served as a host teacher for our cohort students.
Stephanie Shelton received the 2007-2008
Teacher of the Year Award from Washington County High School. She teaches
language arts. Ms. Shelton was an M.A.T. student in Secondary Education
during 2004-05 with
Dr. Cynthia Alby as her Mentor Leader.
Carol Fellows Williams won
the Teacher of the Year Award for 2007-2008 from David Perdue Primary School in
Houston County.
She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in special education from GCSU>
Melanie Fuller was
selected as 2007 Teacher of the Year for McKibeen Lane Elementary School in Bibb
County. She was a
2006 graduate of the M.A.T. program in Special Education, and her mentor leader
was Dr. Lynn McMullen.
Sharon Patterson, Superintendent; Carolyn
Rainey, Teacher of the Year at Burghard Elementary; and Lynne Donehoo, Principal
Carolyn Rainey was named 2007 Teacher of the Year at Burghard Elementary School in Bibb County. She graduated from our Special Education program in 2000. Currently she teaches in a collaborative kindergarten room.
(Thanks to Susan Eilers from the Jones County Board of Education who gave us the information on the Jones County Teachers of the Year for 2007. 7 out of 8 (88%) of the school winners had at least one degree from Georgia College.)
Leah Tucker Bodnarchuk was named 2007 Teacher of the Year at Jones County High School. She teaches special education. She earned her B.S.(1999), M.Ed. (2001), and is currently working on her Ed.S. from Georgia College.
Marty Harrington won the 2007 Teacher of the Year at Gray Elementary in Jones County. She teaches K-5 Connections-Qwizdom. She received both her B.S.(1975) and M.Ed. (1977) from Georgia College.
Dana Hutchinson was nominated and selected as 2007 Teacher of the Year from Califf Middle School/Gray Station Middle School in Jones County. She teaches Family and Consumer Sciences, Reading and Social Studies and Math. She earned her B.S. (1999) and M.Ed.(2006) from Georgia College.
June Lassitter was awarded the 2007 Teacher of the Year from Wells Primary in Jones County. She teaches first grade. June earned her B.S. (1989) and her M.Ed.(1993) from Georgia College.
Lucinda Simpson was named Dames Ferry Elementary 2007 Teacher of the Year in Jones Country. She teaches kindergarten and received her M.Ed. (2006) from Georgia College.
Bethany Stevens earned the 2007 Teacher of the Year Award from Mattie Wells Elementary in Jones County. She teaches fifth grade reading/language arts, math, science and social studies. She received both her B.S. (1989) and her M.Ed. (2000) from Georgia College.
Patty Q. Wells was named Clifton Ridge 2007 Teacher of the Year in Jones County. She teaches eighth grade earth science and reading and is an academic science coach. She earned her B.S. (1971), M.Ed. (1976), and Ed.S. (1996) from Georgia College.
Rhonda Ruffin, who received her M.Ed. in Special Education (2006) was selected as teacher of the year for Howard Middle School in Bib County.
Angie Heath won 2007 Teacher of the Year at Perry High School. She did a non-degree certification at GCSU and is now returning for her M.Ed.
Pam Brookins was chosen Teacher of the Year for Creekside for 2007. She has BS, M. Ed., and EDs from GCSU.
Robin Swetman, was named 2006
Teacher of
the Year from Dutchtown Elementary School in
Henry Country.
She is a self-contained special education teacher. In 2004 Robin earned a
Masters in
Special Education with a concentration in Reading.
Mary Jane Hooks, a graduate from the
Dublin GCSU program, won the Teacher of the Year
Award in 2004 for the Dublin City Schools.
Keysha Wilmore, a 2002 graduate
of the special education cohort, was named Teacher of the Year for 2004
at
Morningside Elementary in Perry. Keysha was nominated in 2003; in 2004
she won.
Maria Saavedra, a 2002 graduate
of the special education cohort, was nominated and selected
Teacher of the Year for 2004 at Linwood Elementary School in
Warner Robbins.
Ketura Collins was nominated and
selected as Teacher of The Year at Bonaire Elementary in Houston County
spring 2003.
She completed her undergraduate degree in 1999 and her masters in December
2002. Both degrees were from GCSU.
Misty Garcia was nominated and selected
as Teacher of the Year at Todd Grant Elementary in Darien, Georgia for
the
2002-2003 school year. She was a graduate of the 2001 Middle
Grade cohort, so Misty was awarded this honor
during her second year of teaching.
GACE Advisory Council and PCS Content Reviewer
Eleanor Sikes
Eleanor K. Sikes received her doctorate in Educational Leadership and her Education Specialist form the University of Georgia. She earned a Master’s in English Education from Georgia College and a Bachelor’s in English Education form Mercer University. Dr. Sikes retired from public education with over 30 years experience as a classroom teacher, a building level and central office administrator, and an Instructional Support Specialist. Her areas of interest and expertise are in Language Arts instruction for pre-service and in-service educators and in instruction in English composition and literature. Dr. Sikes currently serves on the English Advisory Council for the GACE exams and as a Content Reviewer for English Education programs for the Professional Standards Commission. She is also a faculty member at Fort Valley State University.
Oconee Exceptional Children's Professional Excellence Award
In 2007-2008 The John H. Lounsbury alumni
represented 7 out of 8 (88%) of the Oconee Area award winners
and 1 award winner in the Heart of Georgia Area.
| Amanda Tarply Yarbrough, Laurens County | Arlin Brown, Baldwin County |
| Dawn Brake, Hancock County | Sallie Peters, Jasper County |
| Sue Webb, Johnson County | Cass Beall, Putnam County |
| Sharee McDonald, Washington County | Jennifer Davidson Brooks, Wilkinson County |
In 2006-07 The John H. Lounsbury School of Education
alumni represented 7 out of 8 (88%) of these award winners.
| Teresa Moye, Johnson County | Vicky Black, Putnam County |
| Otto Arlin Brown, Baldwin County | Glenda Williams, Hancock County |
| Jennifer Currie, Jasper County | Cheryl Davis, The Learning Center |
| Debra Happoldt, Wilkinson County |
Justin Castille has
been asked by State Superintendent Kathy Cox to serve on her 06-07
Superintendent's Teacher Advisory Council.
He was a graduate of our special education program in 2000 and teaches in Floyd
County. Superintendent Cox met him last
year when she stopped in his room on a routine tour of the school system. He is
currently a candidate for
Floyd County Teacher of the Year.
National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards Certification
2004
Donna I. Strickland, 1994 Early Childhood
Education graduate in Dublin program. She also earned her M.Ed. and Ed.S
from
GCSU is currently teaching in Savannah. She earned her NBPTS
accreditation in 2004.
Jo-ne Bourassa,
alumna in natural science, earned her National Board Certification. She
currently
teaches anatomy, physiology, and physics at West Laurens High School.
2002
Rachel Moss received her Ed.S. in Early Childhood Education from the John H. Lounsbury School of Education.
Wendy Hamm is the Literacy Coach at at Hubbard Elementary in MonroeCounty.
Presentations
Publications
Marilyn Windham (who also won our EDFS Graduate student award in
2004), has just published a book called
The World's Peach
Chambers, C. R.,
Hughes, C., & Carter, E. (2004). Parent and sibling perspectives on the
transition to adulthood.
Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities,
39(2), 79-94.
Cynthia Chambers is a 2001 alumna from the Special Education Cohort.
Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year
2005
| Elena Castro, Warner Robins Northside Elementary School, Master's in Special Ed from Georgia College | Nan Vaden, Sandersville, Elder Primary School, Bachelor"s and Master's Degrees from Georgia College | Debbie Amason,
Milledgeville, Creekside Elementary School, Bachelor's from Georgia College |
Georgia Power New Teacher Assistance Grants
Georgia Power annually selects nominees to
receive $1,000 for their New Teacher Assistance Grant. Awardees are given
money to set up their new classrooms in any way they wish. Annually a
luncheon is held; each recipient, immediate family members, principals,
superintendents and the person nominating the student are invited.
| Jalanda Goff--2004 | Kelli Anne Jackson--2005 | Julia Schipani--2006 |
|
Andrew Madden--2007 |
Neil Shorthouse, Andrew Madden, & Kevin Fletch
Graduated from the Georgia Department
of Education Leadership 21 Program
Lynne A. Shrader- Ed.S cohort student, graduated May 3, 2003
Awards
Jerry Bunch (Macon State ETTC Spotlight Coordinator),
Stephen Johnson, & Anthony English (Principal at Crawford County Middle School)
Stephen Johnson's classroom was chosen by
the Macon State Educational Technology Training Center
to be the Spotlight Classroom for the month for April 2008. They liked his use
of technology
in the classroom. Stephen graduated in 2007 from the Middle Grades program.
Link to Story
Cynthia Chambers, (Special Education Cohort,
2001) received the Peabody Professional Graduate Award,
Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, 2002
Nomination for 2003 GA Excellence in Mathematics Teaching Award
Lianna Nix, (Alumna, Cohort Class of 2001
& current host teacher)
Nominations for School Level Teacher
of the Year
Keysha Wilmore (Alumna Spring 2002)
was nominated for Teacher of the Year at Morningside Elementary in
Houston County. Keysha is a first year teacher special education
teacher there.
Pam Nutt, Ed.S., is a Media Specialist,
the 2002 Georgia Media Specialist of the Year,
a Henry County School Board Member, and a Professional Standards Commissioner.
Teacher Feature Spotlight
Teacher is Tops through WMAZ Channel 13
Susan McMillan (student in Education Leadership Program) was selected for the week of March 10, 2003
Tasha Smith (former Dublin cohort student) was selected for the week of April 22, 2003.If are a GCSU graduate and have earned an honor appropriate for this page, please contact carol.bader@gcsu.edu. Thank you.
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