Foundation

Timothy Barlow from Laurens County is a Pre-K teacher with seven years-experience. He is working to complete his BS in Early Childhood Education. He said that he did not know that teaching was his calling until he coached his two boys in baseball. He went on to say that this brought back memories of his PE coach in elementary school and what a guiding influence he had been on him.  He stated that he realized that these young children, just like him, needed a strong male role model. The Assistant Principal wrote that Mr. Barlow’s patience, dedication, military background, and genuine care for each child’s success set him apart as an exceptional educator. Mr. Barlow included many community and school activities in which he is involved.    

Kendra Browning from Richmond County has a provisional certificate and has been working for 1 ½ years in the kindergarten. Her goal is a master’s degree but first she wants her initial Education Degree with a certification in Elementary Education. Kendra said that she had little time for community activities because her youngest child had recently had open heart surgery, but she did participate in extra school activities. A facilitator for Teacher Quality said that Kendra had shown an unwavering commitment to student achievement and success; she employs innovative teaching methods and fosters a positive leaning environment.

John S. Cassell has four years-experience as a high school science teacher in Effingham County, but he started his career as a Marine Scientist. With his Bachelor of Science- Degree he traveled the East Coast studying sea turtles. He is now teaching with a provisional certificate but plans to earn his Ed.S. The Executive DIRECTOR of Curriculum and Instruction had nothing but praise for Mr. Cassell for his remarkable commitment to his students and his passion for fostering their scientific curiosity. Under his leadership, the zoology class made history in the state of Georgia by having the Georgia White Shrimp named as the official state crustacean. Mr. Cassell works to keep his students involved in many school and community projects and activities.

Rebecca Lee Gladden has been with the Walker County Schools for the past ten years according to her principal. She has worked with special education students and is presently serving as a para pro in the ISS program. Rebecca stated that earning a teaching degree had been a dream for many years, but being a widow (her husband was diagnosed with ALS in 2022) and the mother of two grown boys both with learning disabilities, caused her to put the dream on hold. She is now working to receive that degree. She listed many school and community activities, but one of them stood out. Last summer she was asked to help Georgia’s Teacher of the Year, Christy Todd, with a survey about becoming an educator. Using suggestions from Rebecca and others, the Department of Education launched a new teacher recruitment campaign in February 2025 named “Teach in the Peach.”

Savannah Hayes is an Agricultural Science teacher at G.L. Edwards Middle School in Conyers, GA and is the recipient of the Edith L. Pierce Memorial Scholarship. Her principal states that she has a passion for teaching and brings a dynamic and hands-on approach to the classroom. She can make complex concepts accessible and engaging. Savannah said that she was a first-generation college student and is still working to pay off undergraduate loans. She has been teaching for four years but is now ready to earn her master’s degree.  She is a member of the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association and serves as an FFA advisor. She has participated in the “Adopt a Mile” program and in the pop tab collection for the Ronald McDonald House.  She stated that one of the highlights of her involvement with community activities was taking students to the Summer Leadership Camp at the FFA/FCCLA Center in Covington, GA.

Annalyn Johnson has finished her first year in Ware County as a special education para pro in pre-kindergarten.  Her goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. The principal of Daffodil Pre-K Center in Waycross stated that Annalyn works with three to five-year old students in small and one-on-one sessions to help them meet their academic, social, and emotional goals according to their Individual Education Plans. She is very active, and she communicates with the students in a fun and age-appropriate manner. Annalyn lives in a small community where she is active in her church and worked as a volunteer during the Hurricane Helena situation. She is a member of the “Sunshine Committee” for the school.

Anna Autumn Parks Kindig from Jackson County has a T-5 in secondary social studies. She teaches World History and AP Human Geography. She is working on her Specialist Degree in Learning, Design, and Technology so she can be better prepared to teach the technology the world is requiring. Her principal stated that Anna was a joy to know. She is dedicated to the profession and is working and seeking ways to become better. She is willing to provide extra support when needed. Anna had a whole list of extra-curricular activities both in the community and in the school. She wrote that she had been the girls’ basketball coach at Jefferson High School for several years.

Kaitlyn Miller is a 6th - 8th grade agriculture teacher from Telfair County with four-years- experience. She has a BS and is working on a master’s degree in education. Her principal stated that Mrs. Miller is a true role model for her students. She demonstrates patience, creativity, and a commitment to helping students grow. Complex concepts are made accessible and engaging and her lessons to life are made in a way that motivates and excites students about the possibilities within agriculture. She included a long list of community and civic activities as well as school projects beyond her contractual duties.

Holly L. Partridge of Haralson County has sixteen years-experience with the last six being in Bremen City; she has a BA in elementary education but is working as a para pro in 4th -8th special education. She plans to graduate in May 26 with her initial education degree.  She listed several areas in both her community and her school in which she volunteers for special activities. Her Assistant Principal said that what stood out about Mrs. Partridge was her resilience and determination. She said that she tackled each challenge with a positive attitude and a willingness to grow.

Alexis Ann Reddin has 17 years as a SPED para pro and one year as seventh grade science teacher on a provisional certificate.  She has spent all these years in Fannin County. She wrote that she started college directly out of high school, but for health reasons she had to stop and go back home.  She did finish a cosmetology degree but realized that she wanted to work with children and got a job as a para pro in special education. She is now working on finishing her degree and getting her teaching certificate. Her principal commented that Mrs. Redden had had a successful year as a science teacher; she has faced obstacles, but she has worked hard to communicate her standards and the curriculum correctly.  She can command respect while developing a connection with her students. Mrs. Reddin listed both community and school activities in which she is or has been involved.     

Anna “Caitlyn” Rodgers from Wilcox County has a Provisional BS with 2 years as a para-pro and 3 years as a lead teacher in Pre-K. She is working on her masters in elementary education. The Director of Early Learning wrote that from the time Caitlyn joined the staff at Crisp County, she has been an asset to their program. Because she is consistent, she has a well-managed class where the students are thriving socially and emotionally, and the time learning can be at a premium. She helps her dad in the community because he serves a Thanksgiving meal to those who do not have a family to celebrate with or are in need of the food. As a school activity she helps with programs that helps the students understand the different cultures that are prevalent in our society today.

Angela D. Smith is a kindergarten para pro with sixteen-years-experience in Laurens County. She has a BA but wants a master’s degree with certification in Early Childhood Education. She serves in several capacities in her church as her community service.  She is the youth choir director, does wellness checks on elderly members of the church, tutors kindergarteners and first graders. She stated that she did not take on any school activities since she took care of her mother. The Assistant Principal said that Angela’s patience, empathy, and unwavering commitment to fostering a positive learning environment have earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and her students.

Becky Trull is a high school English and Marketing teacher at Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, GA. She has thirteen years-experience, has a master’s degree and is ready to add Specialist to her name.  Her Language Arts Instructional Coordinator wrote that along with traditional language arts, Mrs. Trull teaches the Marketing/ELA integrated course. She demonstrates a mastery of various content areas and embodies immense professional creativity. Mrs. Trull stated that since AI has changed the way students learn and their needs to become successful outside the classroom, she is pursuing an advanced degree in instructional technology. Her aim is to incorporate interactive tools to make lessons more engaging. According to her application, Mrs. Trull has been very active in both school and community activities.

Jessica Walker from Lowndes County is a para pro with five years-experience in the high school CTAE program.  Her goal is to get her initial education degree so that she can teach agriculture and science. She says these are both practical and essential; agriculture teaches responsibility, problem-solving, and life skills that extend beyond the classroom. In her letter of recommendation, it was said that Mrs. Walker had become the “school mom” for several students just by serving in their classrooms. She is honest and consistent, and students see that behavior and they turn to her for help.    

Garrett Evan West is an eighth-grade science teacher in Crawford County and is the recipient of the Dr. B. J. Bassett Memorial Scholarship. He has a BS but wants a master’s degree in education.  His BS is in Sports Administration but has realized after two years of experience that he wants to be certified in education. The Instructional Coach for Secondary Instruction observed that Garrett is among the most naturally gifted young teachers that I have worked with. He has worked with kids of all ages, and he has learned to be an effective leader of all age sets. He has learned to work with patience and focus in the midst of chaos, and this is a skill that will serve him well in the future. Garrett said that he loved Jesus and he uses this in his extracurricular activities both in the community and the school.