Pepperell High's Alana Ellenburg among 10 finalists for 2013 Georgia Teacher of the Year honors

Media release State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge today announced the finalists for 2013 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

The 10 finalists were chosen from a pool of 150 applicants who were selected as the Teacher of the Year in their school districts. The applications were read by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners and finalists, administrators, community leaders and others. The finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.  
   
"I congratulate our ten Georgia Teacher of the Year finalists and those who applied," said Superintendent Barge. "We have always had a very impressive group of teachers make the top 10, and I know this year will be no different."

Over the next several weeks, a panel of judges will conduct video observations and interview each of the finalists. The finalists will also give a speech at a luncheon sponsored by Georgia Power in the May. The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet on June 1, 2012, at the Georgia International Convention Center. The banquet, paid for through donations from sponsors, will honor each local district Teacher of the Year. A reception hosted by United Healthcare will be held prior to the banquet.
   
The 2013 Georgia Teacher of the Year will travel around the state and the nation, serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession. The winner will also be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
   
The 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Mr. Jadun McCarthy, a teacher at Northeast Health Science Magnet High School in Bibb County. To learn more about Mr. McCarthy and the Teacher of the Year program, click here: http://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Excellence-Recognition/Pages/Georgia-Teacher-of-the-Year-Program.aspx

2013 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalists (in alphabetical order by district)
Teacher, Subject, System, School

Elisha R. Gray, Severe Intellectual Disabilities
Atlanta Public Schools, Maynard Holbrook Jackson High

Charles Trader, Mathematics
Camden County, Saint Marys Middle

Jaslyn Dukes, Reading
Douglas County, J.W. Stewart Middle

Alana Ellenburg, High School 101 & First Aid/Safety
Floyd County, Pepperell High

Shelby Ann Steinhauer, French
Fulton County, Milton High

Sara Taylor, Pre-K Self-contained Special Education
Liberty County, Liberty County Pre-K Center

Dr. Andy Felt, Journalism, Chemistry & Physical Science
Madison County, Madison County High

Allison Konter, AP United States Government & Politics, Government, Psychology and Sociology
Savannah-Chatham, Islands High

Lauren Eckman, English Language Arts
State School, Georgia Academy for the Blind

Billie Jo Diehl, Social Studies and Social Skills
White County, White County Intermediate School
The Georgia Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by United Healthcare.