Bulloch School District’s Top Teachers Honored, 2022-23 Teacher of the Year Finalists

Teachers of the Year from across Bulloch County school district’s 15 schools were honored on January 24, during the Teacher of the Year Banquet, sponsored by The Statesboro Herald.

Joined by their administrators, family members, and the district’s Central Office and Board of Education leadership, the teachers enjoyed a buffet dinner at Uncle Shug’s Banquet Rooms in Statesboro. While this year’s Bulloch County Teacher of the Year, Jenny Hendrix of Stilson Elementary School, was revealed in a surprise announcement in her classroom in December, other finalists for the competition were revealed during the banquet.  Tiffany Ward of Statesboro High School was named first-runner up, Chris Clark of Sallie Zetterower Elementary School was second-runner up, and Karla Lewis Anderson of Southeast Bulloch High School was third-runner-up.

Hendrix will represent Bulloch County in the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition which will culminate in May 2023, and possibly advance to the national competition in January 2024.

Teachers and administrators from the school district’s 15 school gathered for the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year Banquet sponsored by The Statesboro Herald. / Bulloch Co Schools

Thanks to the school district, The Statesboro Herald and corporate sponsors NFP Insurance Brokerage & Consulting and Parker’s Fueling the Community Program, the 15 teachers of the year combined received more than $6,000 in monetary awards and prizes in appreciation for their dedication and service to children. A special thank you as well to the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education, who helps coordinate the corporate donations which fund the program.

The highlight of the evening was the introduction of each school’s teacher of the year by their administrators. Principals shared inspirational examples of their teachers’ dedication to children, quotes from fellow faculty members and parents, and humorous memories. Combined this year’s cohort of exceptional educators have devoted more than 250 years to teaching children.  Please join us in thanking them for their service.

Bulloch County Schools  2022-2023 Teacher of the Year: Jenny Hendrix, Stilson Elementary School

Bulloch County Schools 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year Finalists:Tiffany Ward, Statesboro High School, first-runner up; Chris Clark, Sallie Zetterower Elementary School, second-runner up; and Karla Lewis Anderson, third-runner up, Southeast Bulloch High School

Tiffany Ward, Statesboro High School teacher of the year (center), reviews the evening’s program with Statesboro Assistant Principal Shannon Hinson (right), and Antonio Ward (left). / Bulloch Co Schools

School-level Teachers of the Year who were nominees for the district title:

Brooklet Elementary School                   Marci Cochran

Julia P. Bryant Elementary School         Tonya Deal

Langston Chapel Elementary School    Valerie McLaughlin

Langston Chapel Middle School            Tonya E. Gilchrist

Mattie Lively Elementary School            Summer Bishop

Mill Creek Elementary School                Dr. Jontia Grace

Nevils Elementary School                      Jenna Ellis

Portal Elementary School                      Teresa Flemming

Portal Middle High School                      Clinton Thornburg

Southeast Bulloch Middle School           Stephanie M. Burke

William James Middle School                 Erin Cabral

Tonya Deal, teacher of the year for Julia P. Bryant Elementary (left), with JPBES Principal Stephanie Compton (right). / Bulloch Co Schools

Summer Bishop, teacher of the year for Mattie Lively Elementary School (right), and her husband, David, enjoy the banquet with MLES Principal Al Dekle. / Bulloch Co Schools

Dr. Jontia Grace, teacher of the year for Mill Creek Elementary School (right), speaks with her principal, Jennifer Ward (left) during the banquet. / Bulloch Co Schools

Bulloch County Schools