Educators from Richmond, Columbia, Jefferson and other east Georgia counties are among 112 teachers who have earned the Master Teacher certification, a designation based on appreciable gains in student achievement.
Governor Sonny Perdue announced the names today. There are now 466 Master Teachers in Georgia who have demonstrated their expertise in helping our children achieve at higher levels, he said. They are masters at inspiring students to learn, and I am proud to recognize their tireless efforts and collective success in improving student achievement.
The educators from the Augusta region include: Robert L. Jackson, Richmond County; Sharon Pritchett Staples, Columbia County; Carla Fowler, Elizabeth Hayes Stafford and Krystal S. Stephens, Jefferson County; Melissa Fogarty, McDuffie County; Cali Smith, Screven County; and Julie Lynn Reese, Warren County.
Georgias Master Teacher Certification Program was championed by Governor Perdue during the 2005 legislation session and is coordinated by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. It provides statewide recognition to certified public school teachers in Georgia who have at least three years of teaching experience and who consistently demonstrate instructional excellence through student achievement.
Master Teachers are eligible to automatically renew their teaching certificates as long as they continue to qualify for Master Teacher status.