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Head of the Class: 2022 Teacher of the Year & Finalists
Head of the Class
2022 Teacher of the Year & Finalists
Congratulations to PAGE member Cherie Bonder Dennis, Georgia’s Teacher of the Year for 2022. Like all Georgia educators, Cherie and each program finalist have gone above and beyond this past year. Below, in their own words, these rock star teachers provide insight into what they love about being an educator and how they would best advocate for Georgia’s students.
2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year
“When our society invests in public education, and I do not just mean financially, the rewards are exponential not only for the individual children in the classroom, but also for our greater society that directly benefits from those children having been educated. Believe in public education because its potential is your potential. Believe in its ability to provide children a safe place to find their footing when their world outside of the school walls may be crumbling in ways that we personally cannot imagine.”
Cherie Dennis — Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
“Student-teacher relationships can have many long-term effects on your classroom as it can help students to develop a more positive self-image, improve interactions with peers, and provide a sense of purpose while developing their persistence and empathy. The most beautiful part of all of this is that over time students begin to know and can manage themselves while also making sound choices about personal and social decisions.”
Natasha Berry — Valdosta City Schools
“I believe that we are on the cusp of something great in education! My mission in life is to help students and teachers reach their highest potential and then “pay it forward” for someone else. When students have a sense of belonging, they are able to tap into their creativity. When students are comfortable with what they don’t know and have a growth mindset, they are better able to explore areas that they are good at and, ultimately, showcase their talents.”
Tewanna Brown — Carroll County School System
“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others. Our lessons should not only be engaging for the students, but for ourselves. If you are new to teaching, chances are you may already have a feeling of empowerment. Simply being hired has empowered you to feel confident about making a positive change in your classroom. If you are an experienced teacher, I invite you to revisit your younger self and reclaim the enthusiasm and joy you first brought to teaching. It’s still there.”
Nikki Hampton — Gordon County Schools
“Developing empathy for our learners can promote positive behaviors within our classroom and increase academic engagement. If our students understand that they can achieve greatness, they are more likely to strive for greatness. Remember, true learning can only happen as a result of change, and that change must first start with educators. Once that change occurs within us, it will slowly trickle down to all stakeholders in education, resulting in a stronger and more unified education system across the nation.”
“There’s power in unifying our diversity. I am anchored in my purpose — my ‘why’— to always invest in others, truly see others, and help others be successful, just as so many have done for me. So, my message to Georgia’s teachers is that each of you are worth being someone’s ‘why.’ It is so important to define your own ‘why’ so that your unique story and gifts may unite with my gifts and those of everyone in our noble profession— for the good of each educator and student who carries promise and purpose yet to be realized.”
Rebecca Carlisle — Gwinnett County Public Schools
“When we love first and teach second, we provide students with an academic environment where they can thrive and reach their true potential. As educators of future world leaders, we need to remember that moments we are the most uncomfortable are the moments we grow the most. I want to encourage educators to step out of the comfort of their four walls and discover what lies beyond them! When we teach, we need to make every effort to ensure our children feel loved, accepted, appreciated and that their interests matter.”
Matthew Taylor — Laurens County Schools
“Every student is unique. Every student has strengths. Every student has goals that can be achieved by having someone who believes that they are capable, no matter what a test score says or what a diagnosis may predetermine. As educators, it is our job to find the strengths that are within our students and to encourage, to nurture, and to give them the opportunity to share their gifts with the world.”
Maggie Pruitt — Buford City Schools
“Successful teachers will produce more successful students — our overall longterm goal. I did not choose to major in education in college. However, after a few years in another position and later at home raising a family, I realized that teaching young children was exactly the career that I wanted to pursue. I stand as an example that true success can be found in teaching; and one’s preparation can come later rather than earlier. It would also be my pleasure to continue modeling for and supporting those in middle and high school who are considering education as a career. ”
Jennifer Smith — Twiggs County Public Schools
“The future of our public schools relies on our willingness to evolve and adjust to the needs of our diverse student population. We must create equitable learning environments for all students and allow teachers to use their strengths in the classroom that will best encourage and empower their students. We do not have to do away with the traditional classroom with lectures and discussions, but we do need to make sure that we are placing our students and teachers in classrooms that benefit everyone.”
Michelle Mickens — Wilkes County Schools
Identify. Prepare. Recruit. Retain. Supporting Georgia’s Teacher Pipeline
Georgia’s teacher shortage is real — very real — and it has been for some time. As detailed in the article on page 10, Gov. Brian Kemp signed new teacher pipeline legislation into law this year. Yet, there is much more that must be done — including PAGE initiatives in support of present and future teachers. Throughout the continuum, from middle school through college and beyond, PAGE works to identify, recruit, prepare, and retain Georgia educators.
Middle & High School
• PAGE Future Georgia Educators (FGE) is a secondary school teacher recruitment program. Teachers who serve as FGE advisors identify and recruit young people who may be interested in pursuing a career in teaching.
• FGE also serves as a co-curricular organization to enrich the curriculum of education pathway classes. Currently, Georgia offers two such pathways: Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and Teaching as a Profession (TAP). PAGE has met with state and local agencies and district administrators to advocate for an increase in the number of education pathways offered, particularly TAP, in an effort to increase the number of young people entering the profession.
• PAGE provides speakers to education pathway classes on subjects such as the pathway to certification, current events in education, and ethics.
• Our flagship teacher recruitment initiative is FGE Day. PAGE partners with Georgia colleges of education to host annual events designed around professional learning, networking, and college visitation for high school students who may be considering a career in education. Each conference features motivational speakers, workshops, quiz-bowl competitions, and a college fair where students can visit with recruiters not only from the host college but other colleges as well. Visit www.pageinc.org/fgeday for upcoming dates and locations.
• Since its inception in 2015, nearly 8,000 high school students have participated in FGE Days, with an average attendance of 200 at each event.
• Because education pathway students have field experiences similar to college education majors, PAGE provides a very affordable $5 per year student membership – complete with legal/liability coverage.
• High school seniors planning to pursue careers in education are eligible for PAGE FGE scholarships. To date, PAGE has awarded $8,000 in FGE scholarship funds for high school seniors. Learn more and apply at https://www.pageinc.org/scholarships/.
College
• PAGE provides education majors with a college student membership at just $15 per year – inclusive of legal/liability coverage. [The PAGE legal department has noted a significant increase in the number of calls from college students since the Georgia Professional Standards Commission began issuing pre-service certificates in 2015, holding these students accountable under the Code of Ethics for Educators.]
• College student membership also includes eligibility for PAGE teacher candidate scholarships to help finance an education degree. To date, PAGE has awarded more than $100,000 to college-level teacher candidate members. Learn more and apply at https:// www.pageinc.org/scholarships/.
• PAGE presents learning modules on topics such as resume writing and interview skills, code of ethics training, and a “nuts and bolts” look at the first year as a teacher with details about salary, benefits, cafeteria plans, and more. These modules are designed to prepare students so they are not overwhelmed when they get their own classrooms.
Beyond College
• First-year teachers who have been PAGE members in college (or as a paraprofessional), receive their first year of professional membership with comprehensive PAGE benefits at halfprice.
• PAGE posts job fair opportunities on our website and social media to help teachers as they seek employment. Learn more at https://www. pageinc.org/job-fairs/. • Our Professional Learning department offers training on designing engaging work for students, and provides leadership support for assistant principals and principals. Learn more at https://www.pageinc.org/professional-learning/.
• For those pursuing advanced degrees, PAGE offers scholarships to offset that cost. To date, PAGE has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarship funds for this purpose. Learn more and apply at https://www.pageinc.org/scholarships/.
In this issue, Georgia educators offer words of advice and encouragement. There are so many demands that factor into classroom success: volumes of paperwork, seemingly endless changes in legislation and policy, challenging students, difficult parents, and so much more. All are real – but so is the magic. Make those connections with your students, celebrate each small victory, and support and be supported by your colleagues. Remember why you chose to be in the classroom, and be a living advertisement for the profession that makes all others possible.
Mary Ruth Ray is a PAGE FGE Coordinator and College Services Representative. A former Georgia educator, she has served PAGE members since 1998.
Legal
Returning to Work Following Retirement
PAGE attorneys frequently answer questions from retirees who want to return to work. The following information is a brief overview of the current status of Georgia’s return-to-work law for retired teachers as well as a discussion of pending legislation that may impact return to work in the future.
Under current Georgia law, retired educators are eligible to return to the classroom and collect benefits from the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) as long as they work no more than 49 percent of the time. Educators wishing to work a schedule of 50 percent or more must either suspend or terminate their TRS retirement benefits.
Returning to Work – 49 Percent or Less
In order to work as a regular 49-percent employee after retirement, you must have a one-month break in service. The salary for the position you choose is negotiated between you and the employing district but cannot exceed more than 49 percent of the standard pay for that position. If a retiree is employed by a district as an independent contractor or while working for any organization doing business with an employer covered by TRS, documentation of duties, responsibilities, and salary must be submitted to TRS. There is a very limited exception allowing retirees to return to work full time for three months in a temporary position. Returning to work with a TRS-covered entity, in any capacity, needs to be approved by TRS.
Working 50 Percent or More
Should a retiree choose to return to work 50 percent or more of a school year, they must decide whether to suspend or terminate their benefits. When a retiree suspends their TRS benefits, no contributions are made to TRS from the retired member or employer, and the retired member does not accrue more service time. When a retired
member terminates their TRS benefits to return to work, member and employer contributions are made to TRS. Once a member terminates their retirement and returns to work, the member continues to accrue service credit towards retirement. To terminate your retirement benefit, you must work a minimum of four months. If you plan to return to work in a capacity greater than 49 percent after retirement, you should contact TRS to determine whether suspension or termination of benefits is the best option for you.
No Prior Agreement
As you prepare to retire, and simultaneously consider returning to work in a limited capacity, you must remember it is illegal to have an agreement to return to work in place at the time of retirement. Should TRS discover that an agreement to return to work existed prior to retirement, the retirement will be voided, the retiree will have to go through the retirement process again at a later date, and any funds paid by TRS to the retiree will have to be returned. When your retirement is processed, you sign a form acknowledging that no written or verbal agreement to return to work exists. Knowingly giving false information to the retirement system is a misdemeanor as well as a potential violation of the Code of Ethics for Georgia Educators.
Notification
Before accepting any post-retirement job with a school district, it is the retiree’s responsibility to notify any potential employing school district that you are a TRS beneficiary. Retirees who choose to return to work, in any capacity with a school or school district, need to have the position approved by TRS before starting the job.
Contact Information
Visit https://www.trsga.com/ for additional details. You may reach TRS at 1-800-352-0650. As always, should you have any questions about this or any other work-related issues, please call the PAGE legal department at 770-2168555 (option 1) or send an email to legal@pageinc.org.
Pending Legislation to Watch
As this article is being written, HB 385 (https://bit. ly/2V8apji) is being sent to the state auditor for actuarial study. Pending review, this bill is eligible for a vote in the 2022 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly. If passed, HB 385 will allow retirees to work full time while continuing to receive retirement benefits. This proposed legislation would require a 12-month break in service and limits employment to high-needs areas as determined by the local RESA. Educators should not make retirement decisions based on pending legislation, but HB 385 will be an important bill to watch in the upcoming session. PAGE lobbyists will follow the legislation closely and send information to all members who’ve subscribed to the PAGE Capitol Report. If you’ve not yet opted in to receive these reports, you can do so at https://bit.ly/2ZLhQgR.
Sean DeVetter is a PAGE staff attorney and the son of educators. He graduated from Emory University and Georgia State University College of Law and has served PAGE members for 12 years.
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Change is inevitable. Let’s Lead through it.
“What routines blind me? What do I need to let go of? Who do I surround myself with? The stories, facts, and questions in Lead. Learn. Change. will encourage you to take action. Not only will you be impressed with what PAGE does, you will be compelled to focus on making an even greater difference with those whose paths you cross.” — Hannah Talley, media specialist and award-winning educator, Dalton, GA
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