Educator from Newton Co is finalist for Ga Teacher of the Year

Our teachers have helped create future doctors, lawyers, and leaders.

Now, one of 10 teachers from several Georgia school districts will soon become Georgia Teacher of the Year.

On Monday, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced the finalists for the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Woods made his way to each finalist’s classroom to let them know they were chosen.

The teachers were chosen from a pool of candidates all previously selected as their school district’s Teacher of the Year.

“I am so proud of each of these 10 finalists – all are shining examples of our profession and bring great talent and expertise to the classroom each and every day, for the benefit of Georgia’s students,” Superintendent Woods said.

Of the 10 finalists, four teachers are from Butts, Carroll DeKalb, and Newton counties in the Channel 2 viewing area.

Veena Black is a second-grade teacher and STEM lead at Briarlake Elementary School in DeKalb County Schools. She said her passion for learning is by empowering her students to be proud of their accomplishments.

Lucas Brock is an agricultural educator at Central Middle School in Carroll County Schools. He believes in helping students discover their passions and celebrating their accomplishments can help create lasting impacts on their development.

Katie Jenkins is an Early Intervention Program teacher at Stark Elementary School in Butts County Schools. Jenkins helps support teachers in all grade levels and mentors new teachers.

Laura Lambert is an AP Biology and Biotechnology teacher at Newton College and Career Academy in Newton County Schools. She creates project-based learning experiences to connect students to the real world.

Christy Todd is a music technology teacher at Rising Starr Middle School in Fayette County Public Schools. She believes in helping all learners find their creative superpowers.

Other finalists include Inga Cashon at Tattnall County Schools, Vanessa Ellis of Muscogee County School District, Jennifer Lean of Harris County School District, Brittany Nearhood of Bryan County Schools, and Katherine Jane Stweward of Walker County School District.

The 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year will be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition and will serve from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

The 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Michael Kobito of the Bartow County School System.

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