McDuffie County candidates for the Teacher of the Year have been announced, and they are: Jessie Morlan of Thomson High, Peggy Carter of Dearing Elementary, Khrista Kent of Norris Elementary, Patricia Connor of Thomson Middle, Leigh Smith of Thomson Elementary and Melissa Welch of Maxwell Elementary School.
The county's Teacher of the Year will be announced at an annual banquet honoring each school's winner Monday evening. The winner will represent McDuffie County in the Georgia Teacher of the Year program. The state winner will be announced in May, 2008.
According to the state Department of Education website, qualifications of a Teacher of the Year include a teacher certification, an exceptionally dedicated and knowledgeable teacher who is planning to remain in active teaching status, one who inspires students, has the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues, who plays an active role in the community and who is poised, articulate and possesses the energy to withstand a taxing schedule.
