Governor Perdue Announces 57 new Master Teachers in Georgia

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774 Ginny Elliott, PSC, 404-232-2601

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced the names of 57 new teachers who have earned the "Master Teacher" certification designation based on appreciable gains they’ve facilitated in their students’ achievement.

"These 57 teachers join the nearly 300 Master Teachers before them who have clearly demonstrated their expertise in helping our children achieve at higher levels," said Governor Perdue.  "They are masters at inspiring students to learn, and I’m proud to recognize them for their outstanding work in one of our most honorable professions."

Georgia’s Master Teacher Certification Program was championed by Governor Perdue during the 2005 legislation session and is coordinated by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). It provides statewide recognition to certified public school teachers in Georgia who have at least three years of teaching experience and who consistently demonstrate instructional excellence through their students’ achievement.

Master Teacher certification qualifies teachers to earn a stipend for mentoring new teachers or serving as Academic Coaches who use instructional release time to promote effective professional development practices among colleagues and make recommendations to improve schools and student learning. In addition, Master Teachers are eligible to automatically renew their teaching certificates as long as they continue to qualify for Master Teacher status.

"The Georgia Professional Standards Commission is proud to administer this important certification program," said Kelly Henson, Executive Secretary of the PSC.  "We extend our heartiest congratulations to these teachers for this well-earned recognition."

For more information on the Master Teacher program, please visit http://www.gamasterteachers.org or send an email to MasterTeachers@gapsc.com.

Below are the names of those teachers who have earned the "Master Teacher" Certification in 2008:

Atlanta Public Schools Pamela Renee Andrews

Atlanta Public Schools Adella Lenore Dixon

Atlanta Public Schools LaTrenda Shanane Willis

Baldwin County Donna B. Kirby

Berrien County Staci Rentz Jernigan

Bibb County Kristy French Graham

Candler County Monicca M. Bohannon

Cherokee County Deborah Lynn Kelly

Clarke County Summer Elizabeth Tuggle

Clayton County Linda F. Kight

Cobb County Susan Elaine Blackwell

Cobb County Dora Phillips Brown

Coffee County Angela Rigdon Anderson

Columbia County Sandra Kay Thompson

Cook County Marian Sabrina Lindsey

DeKalb County Leisa Taylor Berry

DeKalb County Jisu Song

Dodge County Angela Lynn Peacock

Effingham County Margaret Nicole Davis

Effingham County Teshewanda B. Shuman

Fulton County Danielle Ruth Arnold

Glynn County Yondla Kanae Clark

Glynn County Oatanisha Renee Dawson

Glynn County Brentsie Bobo Walker

Gwinnett County Sonjyia Faye Bryant

Gwinnett County Denise Trosky Buckelew

Gwinnett County Tamara Nicole Candis

Gwinnett County Melinda Nicholson Lewis

Gwinnett County William B. Lewis

Gwinnett County Kim Michelle White

Hall County Lela H. Whelchel

Henry County Anthony D. DiSario

Henry County Michelle Leigh Platson

Jefferson County Jeffrey C. Dent

Jones County Angela Carnes Bailey

Lamar County Tami Tyre Barnes

Lumpkin County Sabrina Grizzle

Lumpkin County Patricia Richmond

Lumpkin County Rita S. Truelove

McDuffie County Felicia R. Cullars

McDuffie County Sharon N. Turman

Muscogee County Staci Nicole Allen

Muscogee County Nakia Hunter Farley

Muscogee County Tanya Lawrence Kearse

Newton County Lynn House

Newton County Leamon Carroll Jourdan

Newton County Shundreia N. Neely

Newton County Jeanne Roxanne Rachels

Newton County Stephanie Demitra Tyler

Pierce County Martha Joi McCarthy

Pierce County John Ratliff

Polk County Cristi M. Gober

Polk County Dale Loyd Tuck

Putnam County Holly M. Parker

Thomaston-Upson County Jodie S. Day

Thomasville City Catherine M. Briggs

Walker County Chastity Leann Steadman

 

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