GAINESVILLE - Cyndy Crites, a kindergarten teacher at Chicopee Woods Elementary School, has been named the The Hall County School District Teacher of the Year for 2017.
Schools Supt. Will Schofield and Dr. Eloise Barron, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, surprised Crites by showing up in her classroom Tuesday to make the announcement in front of her students.
Crites has been an educator 18 years. Prior to coming to Chicopee Woods threeyears ago, she had taught in North Carolina and Augusta, Georgia.
“Honestly, I was in disbelief and as the tears flowed, I quickly had to explain to my confused kindergarteners that they were happy tears," Crites said when asked her reaction to the honor. "They immediately jumped up out of their seats and gathered around me to give hugs! In the midst of all the hugging, one pushed to the front of the group to tell me she was so proud of me and another of my students grabbed a tissue and handed it to me. Unconditional love - it’s what they give. It’s what I hope they get from me every day.”
Chicopee Woods Principal Lindsey Chatham, who had accompanied Schofield and Dr. Barron to the classroom, remarked, “Cyndy is a passionate educator. She puts one hundred percent of herself into her students and her craft. Her journey is amazing and I am honored to work with her. Cyndy is deserving of this tremendous honor. I am so proud of her and her accomplishment!”
Crites will now compete with other system winners from across the state for Georgia Teacher of the Year.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/11/350439/crites-selected-hall-co-school-district-teacher-of-the-year