Teachers recognized with special banquet

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Pictured are the following teachers who were honored at Tuesday night’s 22nd annual Excellence in Teaching Awards Banquet held at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village: music teacher Betsy Jones at Annie Belle Clark Primary School, third grade teacher Maria Hamill at G.O. Bailey Primary School, fourth grade teacher Ginger Harn at Charles Spencer Elementary School, Media Specialist Lauren Smith at Matt Wilson Elementary School, ESOL teacher Jan Kitchens at Omega Elementary School, first grade teacher Sylvia McWilliams at Omega Elementary School, social studies teacher Bobby Earls at Tift County High School Northeast Campus, marketing teacher Mike Beeman at Tift County High School, ROTC teacher Sgt. Darrell Purvis at TCHS and the late TCHS chorus teacher Chris Robinson (his wife, Kristi, accepted the award on his behalf). Also pictured are Superintendent Patrick Atwater, Tammy Griffin with the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence Board and Frank Sayles, president of the Tifton Rotary Club and a TCFEE board member. Not pictured is pre-kindergarten teacher Alisha Bassett at the Tift County Pre-K Center. Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette

February 20, 2013

Teachers recognized with special banquet

Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette CNHI The Tifton Gazette Wed Feb 20, 2013, 10:58 PM EST

TIFTON — Eleven local teachers were recognized and honored Tuesday night at the 22nd annual Excellence in Teaching Awards Banquet held at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village. The late attorney Rob Reinhardt was also honored. The Tifton Rotary Club sponsored the event, which they have been doing for the past 20 years.

In November 2012, the 11 winners were surprised with the Excellence in Teaching award during a “tapping” by the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence. The foundation takes nominations and selects the teachers. They have been handing out the award to local teachers since 1991, says Mike Brumby, president of the foundation.

Each teacher received a framed certificate at the tapping last year. At Tuesday’s banquet, however, they each received a $250 check, along with a very nice plaque. The checks and plaques were presented by Superintendent Patrick Atwater; Tammie Smith, public relations director for the Tift County School System; Tammy Griffin with the TCFEE Board; and Frank Sayles, president of the Tifton Rotary Club and a TCFEE board member.

Griffin stated to the crowd, “Sit back as we honor you — our teachers of excellence.”

The following teachers were honored: pre-kindergarten teacher Alisha Bassett at the Tift County Pre-K Center (was unable to attend due to illness), music teacher Betsy Jones at Annie Belle Clark Primary School, third grade teacher Maria Hamill at G.O. Bailey Primary School, fourth grade teacher Ginger Harn at Charles Spencer Elementary School, Media Specialist Lauren Smith at Matt Wilson Elementary School, ESOL teacher Jan Kitchens at Omega Elementary School, first grade teacher Sylvia McWilliams at Omega Elementary School, social studies teacher Bobby Earls at Tift County High School Northeast Campus, marketing teacher Mike Beeman at Tift County High School, ROTC teacher Sgt. Darrell Purvis at TCHS and the late TCHS chorus teacher Chris Robinson (his wife, Kristi, accepted the award on his behalf).

Smith read synopses from parents, co-workers and students about each teacher before they stood to receive their plaque and check at the front of the room. Descriptive words such as “committed,” “rare jewel,” “giving” and “caring” were used. Atwater thanked Smith for her hard work in gathering the information.

He told guests that it was a good opportunity for the Tift County Board of Education to thank every individual in the room, including the Rotarians. Board members were present at the banquet. Atwater said that they are very grateful for the TCFEE’s support of education.

“We are blessed in Tift County to have good partnerships,” he stated.

He noted that members are only paid $50 a month for serving on the board of education. He stated that they didn’t choose to serve because of the money; they do it for the love of education and the students.

“We are exceptionally proud of you and your accomplishments,” Atwater told the winners. He also commented that his hat goes off to their spouses, friends, parents, etc. who hear about the challenges.

“Thank you for your continued support,” he added.

Past winners of the Excellence in Teaching award were also present at the banquet.

As a tribute to Reinhardt, Brumby spoke about how Reinhardt stood up at a TCFEE Board meeting in 1990 and proposed honoring teachers who are inspirations and make a difference in the local school system. Thus, the Excellence in Teaching award was established. After saying some kind words about Reinhardt, Brumby thanked him.

Also, guests enjoyed entertainment by Eighth Street Singing Company, which is under the direction of Pam McClellan at TCHS. During the banquet, the Rev. Lonnie Lacy gave the invocation for the night before guests helped themselves to a dinner buffet.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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