2014 GA Teacher Of The Year Finalists Named - WSAV: News, Weather, and Sports for Savannah, GA

Georgia School Superintendent Dr. John Barge has announced the finalists for 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

The 10 finalists were chosen from a pool of 155 applicants who were selected as the Teacher of the Year in their school districts. The applications were read by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners and finalists, administrators, community leaders and others. The finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.

"I congratulate our ten Georgia Teacher of the Year finalists and those who applied," said Superintendent Barge. "As usual, we had a very impressive group of teachers make the top ten."

Over the next several weeks, a panel of judges will conduct video observations and interview each of the finalists. The finalists will also give a speech at a luncheon sponsored by Georgia Power in April. The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet on May 3, 2013, at the Georgia International Convention Center. The banquet, paid for through donations from sponsors, will honor each local district Teacher of the Year. A reception hosted by United Healthcare will be held prior to the banquet.

The 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year will travel around the state and the nation, serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession. The winner will also be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

The 2013 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Ms. Lauren Eckman, a teacher of the blind and visually impaired at the Georgia Academy for the Blind.

2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalists:

Teacher, Subject, System, School Tamika N. Ball

Atlanta Public Schools, D.M. Therrell School of Health Sciences and ResearchBrandon A. Mitchell,

Barrow County, Winder-Barrow High Jemelleh Coes

Bulloch County, Langston Chapel Middle Terrie L. Ponder

Carrollton City, Carrollton Junior High Jeanine Wetherington

Colquitt County, Norman Park Elementary Shannon Pollitz,

Floyd County, Pepperell Middle Barbara Rosolino

Henry County, Eagle's Landing High David DuBose

Marietta City, Marietta High Dr. Polly S. Holder

Walton County, Walnut Grove HighTanya Smith

Wayne County, Wayne County High

The Georgia Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by United Healthcare.