Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School math teacher Steve Galvin was named the 2010 Richmond County School System teacher of the year Thursday night.
The announcement came from a former student who was last year's winner.
"To me, Steve is the kind of math teacher we all hope to have at some point," said Heather Davidson, of John S. Davidson Fine Arts, who was the 2009 teacher of the year. In noting that she had been a student of Mr. Galvin, she added, "Tonight Steve, I am here to say that as a witness to your teaching, thank you so much for what you do."
Mr. Galvin is in his 18th year of teaching in Richmond County and was selected from five finalists for the honor at a banquet at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in downtown Augusta.
"It is truly an honor to be chosen by the judges," he told the crowd.
Mr. Galvin, who has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in secondary mathematics education from Augusta State University, was lauded for inspiring students while using humor in class. He thanked his wife and school administrators.
"It has been incredible to see what you've been able to do in these three years," he said to Superintendent Dana Bedden and other administrators, adding that despite economic hardships "...We've still been able to move forward."
Dr. Bedden said Mr. Galvin will now serve as an ambassador, occasionally traveling to events on behalf of the school system.
As part of Mr. Galvin's recognition, he also received gift certificates, a $200 savings bond, a Waterford crystal vase, a free overnight stay at a local hotel and an inn, a hot stone spa treatment, a custom 10K white gold ring, a watch and a laptop computer and printer.
Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 828-3851 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com
Comments
Why not just pick a teacher from Davidson Fine Arts every year and not go through this facade of judging. It seems this school has all the best teachers...what a message to send to the other wonderful teachres who are making a difference in this county every day...three years in a row...hmmmm and from the new and improved administration...please!
I am proud to say that I taught with Steve. Congrats to a great teacher and a really good guy!
Though I do not doubt Mr. Galvin is a fine teacher, I also can note that his students are not the general public. Davidson students have to be accepted into their program and can be kicked out if need be. I worked in some of the roughest schools in RC before going to another county. I can tell you now that some of those teachers deserve combat metals for being able to teach the ones that actually want to learn. I remember two incidents very clearly while teaching in RC: the one were I was cussed out by a young lady because she refused to stay seated at lunch and the young man that was on the verge of alternative school that was told to stop talking who threw his desk and said "s*&^ my d#*$". Yet I still managed to teach and my kids always did well on the standardized test. I often see elementary teachers and magnet school teachers in the final few selected. There are good teachers in the trenches of the middle schools and the high schools that are teaching their hearts out but are rarely given any credit.
ooooooppppppppppppsssss sad to say this but it is NOT the Raddison it is teh Augusta Marriott
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