Muscogee County 2022 Teacher of the Year finalists explain why they are educators
In a profession notorious for being underpaid and overworked, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the three educators who were announced Tuesday as finalists for the 2022 Teacher of the Year award in the Muscogee County School District explained why they chose this career.
The Ledger-Enquirer asked them separately during interviews in their classroom, but each teacher mentioned the impact they can make on the future:
Gena Davis, Dimon Magnet Academy, K-5 special education
“It’s for their future” said Davis, in her 14th year as a teacher, including the past 12 at Dimon. “These kids, this is the only time I will be able to make a difference in their lives. … I teach special education, and so our kids have as much right to their education as anyone else. They can do what anyone else can do. … I’m here for the kids.”
Vanessa Ellis, Veterans Memorial Middle School, eight-grade social studies
“For several reasons, but first and foremost, it’s the children,” said Ellis, in her 11th year as a teacher, including the past five at Veterans. “We live in such an amazing community, and to be able to have a stake in their futures and what they will grow up (to be) and reinvest into this community, it just means everything to me.”
Andrea McCarthy, Richards Middle School, seventh-grade English language arts
“I’m a teacher because I can make a huge impact on our future, and there’s nothing like being in this classroom every single day and impacting and molding the minds of our future generation,” said McCarthy, in her 10th year as a teacher, including the past two at Richards. “I love to follow up with them down the road to see what they do with their lives because it always and never ceases to amaze me.”
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 12:36 PM.
