TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is seeking applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teacher of the Year for 2018-2019. DECAL will select a winner from a local public school system and a winner from a private child care center.

“Now in its 25th year, Georgia’s Pre-K Program is nationally recognized as an exemplary early childhood education program for four year olds that significantly impacts school readiness skills in language, literacy, and math,” said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. “The program’s success can be attributed directly to the outstanding Pre-K teachers and assistants who implement this program daily. This is a small way for us to recognize their efforts."

To be considered for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teacher of the Year, the teacher must meet the following qualifications:

• Must have been employed as a Georgia’s Pre-K lead teacher during the 2017-2018 school year.
• Must have taught as a lead teacher in a Georgia’s Pre-K classroom for a minimum of three years.
• Must meet Georgia’s Pre-K lead teacher credential/certification requirements and must be enrolled in the Georgia Professional Development Registry (GaPDS).
• Must be planning to continue as a lead teacher in a Georgia’s Pre-K classroom during the 2018-2019 school year.
• Must be employed by a Georgia’s Pre-K Program provider in good standing with all programs administered by DECAL. (Pre-K, Child Care Services, Childcare and Parent Services [CAPS] and Nutrition Services).
• Must be willing to serve as an ambassador for Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Duties may include but are not limited to: public speaking, representing Georgia’s Pre-K at meetings, and modeling effective classroom practices.
• Must be able and willing to travel as needed – including some overnight stays.
• Must be willing to have a classroom evaluation and interview conducted if chosen as a finalist.
• For more information, contact Meghan McNail, Summer Transition Program and Outreach Coordinator, at meghan.mcnail@decal.ga.gov or 770-357-4911.

This school year approximately 84,000 four year olds are attending Georgia’s Pre-K Program. The voluntary, lottery-funded Pre-K program has been recognized as one of the top programs in the nation, based on quality standards, teacher qualifications, and enrollment. Georgia’s Pre-K Program is universal – meaning that any age eligible child residing in Georgia may attend the program regardless of family income. Georgia’s model for providing the Pre-K program is unique in that it is offered through a public-private partnership in local school systems, in private child care centers, and in other facilities.