Two locals among finalists for Georgia Teacher of the Year

ATLANTA - Two local teachers are among ten finalists for the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, according to the State School Superintendent.

 

Richard Woods announced the finalists Monday.  They include Patrick Logan, a first grade teacher at Buford Elementary and Holly Canup, a media resource specialist/online instructor at East Jackson Comprehensive High School.

 

The finalists were chosen from a field of 151 applicants.

 

"I'm looking forward to working with this extraordinary group of teachers to ensure our policies are child-focused and classroom-centered," Woods said.

 

A panel of judges is slated to interview each candidate and conduct video observations.  The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year conference on May 8.

 

The winner will travel the state and country as an ambassador for teachers.  The victor will be entered into the national teacher of the year competition.

 

Other finalists:

 

Brian David Butler, Science
Bibb County, Rutland High

Alexandra Vlachakis, Information Technology
Fayette County, Sandy Creek High

John Wood, Art
Henry County, Luella High

Brian Patrick, English/Literature
Jasper County, Jasper County High

Kimberly Lester, Writing/Language Arts
Muscogee County, St. Elmo Center for the Gifted

Gary Allen Jones, II, Gifted
Rome City, East Central Elementary

Ernest William Lee II, IB History, US Government and Civics
Savannah-Chatham County, Winsor Forest High

Blair Inabinet, Georgia Studies
Walton County, Youth Middle

More details on the Teacher of the Year program