At a glance
The 2015 Forsyth County Teacher of the Year semifinalists include:
Elementary school
* Jody Barbre, Big Creek
* Dawn James, Brookwood
* Shelley McCannon, Chattahoochee
* Rock Reed, Chestatee
* Rebecca Ray, Daves Creek
* Christi Phillips, Haw Creek
* Michelle Abrams, Mashburn
* Claire Johnson, Matt
* Shellie Keys, Sawnee
* Susan O’Malley, Sharon
Middle school
* Chris Duncan, Little Mill
* Emily Harrison, Otwell
* Tara Hawkins, Piney Grove
* Kimmy Wood, South Forsyth
* Jennifer Davies, Vickery Creek
High school
* Marlo Miranda, Forsyth Central
* Andra Cruse, Lambert
* Matthew Thompson, South Forsyth
FORSYTH COUNTY — The Forsyth County school system has announced its 2015 Teacher of the Year semifinalists, bringing the pool down to 18 teachers.
The annual process, which began Sept. 26, will end March 13 with the system of the year recipient named during Celebration of Excellence ceremony at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center.
Until then, the semifinalists — 10 elementary, five middle and three high school teachers — will interview for the next round on Jan. 12-13, according to the school district.
Superintendent Jeff Bearden and James McCoy, president and CEO of the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce, will make surprise visits to the three finalists — one teacher from each school level — on Feb. 4. The finalists will have classroom observations Feb. 12.
Any classroom teacher in pre-K through 12thgrade — including special education, physical education, ITS, art and music teachers and media specialists — was eligible for Teacher of the Year. Counselors are recognized through a separate program.
Teacher candidates must have at least two years of experience, have a full-time teaching position and “spend the majority of their time teaching students in a classroom setting. Supervisory and administrative responsibilities should be of secondary consideration.”
The reigning top teacher is Piney Grove Middle’s Kristen Deuschle.