Richmond County School System Announces 2010 Teacher Of The Year Finalists

Augusta, GA—According to Louis Svehla, the Public Information Director for the Richmond County School system, 5 extraordinary educators from across Richmond County Schools have been selected as finalists for the prestigious Richmond County Teacher of the Year award, Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden announced Friday.

The top five school “Teacher of the Year’ representatives have earned finalist standing for the Richmond County Teacher of the Year.

“We are honored to present these five finalists as a representation of the quality and committed teaching that takes place daily within our school system,” stated Norman Hill, Chief Human Resources Officer.

The finalists are:

• Mr. Steve Galvin, John S. Davidson Fine Arts School
• Ms. Lori Hoover, Hephzibah High School
• Ms. Jami Lavender, Hephzibah Elementary School
• Ms. Alissa Stramenga, CT Walker Magnet School
• Ms. Denise Turner, Wheeless Road Elementary School

“This is a great honor for these five finalists as they were nominated by their peers, and represent the best of the best at their schools and in the county,” said Superintendent Dr. Dana T. Bedden. “While they are being honored, we are proud of each and every teacher in the Richmond County School System and what they continue to do for our students.”

The finalists were selected based on criteria that include contributions and accomplishments in education, commitment to professional learning and development, and the ability to inspire learning. Each finalist will be observed from September 28 — October 9, 2009 by a panel of judges which include retired educators. The winner should show a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students from a variety of backgrounds and abilities.

Richmond County Schools nominated 58 school teachers for the 2010 Teacher of the Year award. All nominees will be honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet which will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites, 2 Tenth Street Augusta, Georgia 30901.