Fannin Schools award Teacher of the Year

By Lisa Gagnon

Sentinel Writer

Blue Ridge–The Fannin County School System awarded Teacher of the Year honors to Fannin High’s Greg Chambers at its annual banquet January 28 at the high school cafeteria. Teachers’ peers at each school chose each facility’s Teacher of the Year. Then, a committee used the teachers’ essays and interviews to choose the district’s Teacher of the Year.

Chambers was chosen from among five county school teachers, including Nancy Watkins from Blue Ridge Elementary, Mary Corbin from East Fannin Elementary, Kim Patterson from West Fannin Elementary and Carol Burke from Fannin County Middle School.

Chambers has been teaching for 15 years at Fannin High School. He teaches U.S. History and Advanced Placement U.S. History, chairs the Social Studies department and is the Rebels’ football team offensive coordinator.

“These teachers are bright and innovative and wonderful to watch,” commented Betsy Hyde, the district’s director of student services.

Chambers will compete against winners of 180 other school districts in the state. The state winner will be announced in May 2010 and will act as an education ambassador. The Georgia Teacher of the Year will also compete for national Teacher of the Year.

From left, teachers of the year Mary Corbin from East Fannin Elementary School, Carol Burke from Fannin County Middle School, Greg Chambers from Fannin County High School, Nancy Watkins from Blue Ridge Elementary, and Kim Patterson from West Fannin Elementary School. Chambers earned 2011 Teacher of the Year.

The Fannin High School Chorus, under the direction of Jenny Ragsdale, performed during the banquet.