Forsyth County Schools announced Friday their Teacher of the Year finalists coming from seven schools across the district.
Superintendent Jeff Bearden surprised seven teachers from various Forsyth County schools Friday by letting them know they earned finalist spots for Teacher of the Year. Bearden, administration members and representatives from the Forsyth Chamber of Commerce and Andean Chevrolet visited the teachers, providing congratulatory gifts along with the announcement.
Finalists were selected from Teachers of the Year at each individual school around the county, which were announced last Sept. Teachers underwent close classroom video observation prior to being selected. The finalists will go before a committee of community leaders and educators for interviews at the end of Feb.
“Seven remarkable, talented, dedicated professionals,” Bearden said in a social media post. “Our students and families are so blessed to be surrounded by so many outstanding teachers. Any one of these seven would represent FCS so well at the state level.”
The winner will be announced at the “Celebration of Excellence” event in coordination with the Forsyth Chamber on March 9. According to a release by the district, the winning teacher will be awarded a car lease from Andean Chevrolet.
Below is information about each of the seven finalists:
- Kelly Mill ES - Jaime DeVito
Jaime DeVito is a Specialized Instruction Skills Based Autism (K-2) teacher at Kelly Mill Elementary School. She began her teaching career in 2010 and joined FCS in 2018. Jaime received her bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University, her master’s degree from Georgia Southern University, and her specialist’s degree from Kennesaw State University.
- New Hope ES - Morgan O’Leary
Morgan O’Leary is a first-grade teacher at New Hope Elementary School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and her master’s degree from Piedmont College. Morgan started her teaching career in FCS at Big Creek ES in 2015.
- Silver City ES - Isaac Padilla
Isaac Padilla is a third-grade teacher at Silver City Elementary School, where he began his teaching career in 2018. Isaac received his bachelor’s degree from Truett McConnell University.
- Little Mill MS - Kari Shepherd
Kari Shepherd is a sixth-grade math teacher at Little Mill Middle School. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, her master’s degree from the American College of Education, and her specialist’s degree from Piedmont College. Kari joined FCS in 2011.
- North Forsyth MS - Erica Gaines
Erica Gaines is a science teacher at North Forsyth Middle School. Her teaching career started in 2007, and she moved to FCS in 2013. Erica received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Georgia, her master’s degree from Western Governors University, and her specialist’s degree from Piedmont College.
- Denmark HS - Suzanne Bertz
Suzanne Bertz is an IRR (inter-related resource) teacher at Denmark High School. Suzanne received her bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University and her master’s degree from Columbus State University. She joined FCS in 2016.
- North Forsyth HS - Jamie Summerour
Jamie Summerour is a science teacher at North Forsyth High School. Her teaching career in FCS began in 2010. Jamie received her bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, her master’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and her specialist’s degree from Piedmont University.
