LOWNDES CO Ga.-- State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced the finalists for Georgia's 2017 Teacher of the Year on Tuesday.
Fourth grade Math and Social Studies teacher at Dewar Elementary School and Lowndes County Schools' System Teacher of the Year, Sara Wilder, was named among this outstanding group of educators.
Lowndes County Schools say the 10 finalists were chosen from a pool of 155 applicants. All of the applicants were the Teacher of the Year in their school district.
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. Finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.
"Having excellent teachers in the classroom is absolutely essential -- our students cannot succeed at high levels without them," Superintendent Woods said. "Every one of these ten finalists is a shining example of the difference a great teacher makes in the life of a child. I congratulate each of them on their accomplishments and look forward to working with them to ensure our policies are child-focused and classroom-centered."
Over the next several weeks, a panel of judges will conduct video observations and interviews and hear speeches given by the finalists. The winner will be announced in mid-May.
Katie Chappuis, Principal at Dewar Elementary School said, "Our Dewar Elementary family is so excited and proud of Mrs. Wilder. She is truly endeared by her colleagues and students and inspires us all daily. Mrs. Wilder holds unique qualities that make a lasting impression on the students and faculty with which she works. She truly is an exceptional teacher"!
The 2017 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.
To learn more about the Teacher of the Year program, click here.
