Forsyth County Schools Teacher of the Year Semifinalists Announced

15 Forsyth County educators have been nominated as semifinalists for the 2015 Forsyth County Schools Teacher of the Year Award, the school district announced Monday.

Nomination criteria for the Teacher of the Year award include exceptional dedication, a high level of skill, and a high level of knowledge, the Forsyth County Schools said. In addition, candidates should plan to continue active teaching, should inspire students of all background and abilities to learn, should have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues, should play an active role in the community, and should be poised and articulate.

According to the school district, the process to be named the county’s Teacher of the Year began back in late September, when school-level Teachers of the Year were passed to the county. Each teacher then received and completed an information packet and formal application, which were reviewed by the Teacher of the Year Committee. Out of these nominees, 18 semifinalists were announced. Ten finalists came from elementary schools, five from middle schools, and three from high schools, Forsyth County Schools said.

Following Monday’s nominations, each semifinalist will be interviewed on either Jan. 12 or 13 at the Forsyth County Board of Education building in Cumming. On Feb. 4, Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden and James McCoy with the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce will make surprise visits to an elementary, middle, and high school to announce the three finalists for the award.

Each finalist will be observed in action on Feb. 12 from 8 to 12 a.m. in the penultimate stage of the competition, Forsyth County Schools says. The Forsyth County Schools Teacher of the Year will be named on March 13, during the “Celebration of Excellence” event inside the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College in Cumming.

To see the list of semifinalists and learn about past winners, please visit Forsyth County Schools’ website.