From staff reports

The Troup County school system has announced nominees for 2009-10 Teacher of the Year.

Each school submitted nominations. Elementary schools each designate one nominee, while middle and high schools each designate two.

The nominees are:

Berta Weathersbee Elementary,Kristy Morris;

Callaway Elementary,Brenda Bishop;

Cannon Street Elementary,Kelly Daniel;

Ethel W. Kight Magnet,Charlotte Flores;

Franklin Forest Elementary,Lindsay Summerlin;

Hillcrest Elementary,Jennifer Snellgrove;

Hogansville Elementary,Suzanne Doyle;

Hollis Hand Elementary,Beth Harlin;

Long Cane Elementary,Whitney Singell;

Mountville Elementary,Lois Sacchitello;

Rosemont Elementary,Kelly Swanson;

Unity Elementary,Mary Alford;

West Point Elementary,Yashica Brooks;

Whitesville Road Elementary,Rochelle Pompey;

West Side Magnet,Kathy Golden;

Callaway Middle,Donna Bradley and Rachel Hooten;

Gardner Newman Middle,Janice Ussery and Christina Butler;

Long Cane Middle,Glennis Boyd and Christy Walker;

Callaway High, Bonnie Mapp and Marcia Meredith;

LaGrange High, Erin Calhoun and Zena Born;

Troup High, Chance Giddens and Judy LaFollette; and

Hope Academy, Charlene Lambert.

In a program designed to recognize excellence in teaching, the teacher of the year process spotlights professionals who demonstrate outstanding creativity, inspiration and dedication to their jobs.

Nominees are asked to complete applications detailing profession preparation and experience as well as answer questions addressing their philosophy of teaching and practical applications. Judges from the school system and the community will evaluate the applications and select three system finalists, one each representing elementary, middle and high schools.

In the final round of judging, education professionals from outside Troup County will visit finalists at their school, observe in the classroom and conduct interviews. The system Teacher of the Year will be named May 5.

The current teacher of the year is West Side Magnet School’s Ruth Anne Wilson-Jones.