Cedar Shoals High School teacher Greg Huberty has been named the 2017-18 Clarke County School District Teacher of the Year. He was recognized yesterday during the school district’s annual Teachers and Paraprofessionals of the Year Luncheon at Trumps Ballroom, an event that is annually sponsored by Georgia United Credit Union. At the luncheon, Verna Chester-Brown, paraprofessional at Winterville Elementary School, was recognized as District Paraprofessional of the Year.

"The Clarke County School District is fortunate to have some of the very best educators in the state of Georgia," said Superintendent Demond A. Means. "I continue to be impressed with the passion and dedication that our paraprofessionals and teachers bring to their craft everyday. It is evident that there is a strong commitment to addressing both the academic and socio-emotional needs of all students. The paraprofessionals and teachers recognized at this year's luncheon are an excellent representation of the very best of this profession. We are extremely proud of all of our winners as they are a reflection of the hard work and love poured into our students by all educators throughout the district."

For being named the school district’s Teacher of the Year, Huberty also received the $1000 Mae Whatley Teacher of the Year Award from the Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Clarke County. Chester-Brown received the $500 Janis J. Stephens Paraprofessional of the Year Award.

Huberty was selected as one of three finalists following a written application process. The other finalists were Lindsey Arinze (J.J. Harris Elementary School) and Andrea Rowe (Whit Davis Elementary School). The selection committee included CCSD Interim Director of Public Relations and Communications Haley Brannan, Foundation for Excellence President Meg Easom Hines, Athens-Clarke County Director of Housing and Community Development Deborah Lonon, 2016-17 District Teacher of the Year Dana Siegmund and University of Georgia Director of New Student Orientation Alton Standifer. The committee observed the three finalists in their classrooms on September 18.

Huberty will also be recognized by the Rotary Club of Athens, as well as the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce for being named Teacher of the Year.

The District Paraprofessional of the Year was chosen following a written application process. The selection committee included CCSD Translator Alex Borges, CCSD Interim Director of Public Relations and Communications Haley Brannan, CCSD Director of School Social Work Chrystal Gillis, Foundation for Excellence Trustee Vicki Keenan and CCSD Great Promise Partnership Coordinator Johnelle Simpson.

The full list of honorees is as follows:

2017-18 Teachers of the Year 

Alps Road Elementary School---Joycette Bell

Barnett Shoals Elementary School---Leigh Ann Emrick

Barrow Elementary School---Fonda Slongo

Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School---Annie Turman

Cedar Shoals High School---Greg Huberty

Chase Street Elementary School---Janet Fielding

Clarke Central High School---Alexandra Szatkowski Henson

Clarke Middle School---Brian Parido

Classic City High School---Tiffani Knight

Cleveland Road Elementary School---Joe Weinmeister

Coile Middle School---Fredric Rushing

Fowler Drive Elementary School---Pauly Shenton

Gaines Elementary School---Sarah Walls

Hilsman Middle School---Meganne Skinner

J.J. Harris Elementary School---Lindsey Arinze

Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School---Leigh Anne Lindsey

Stroud Elementary School---Jaime Marshall

Timothy Road Elementary School---Monique Pumphrey

Whit Davis Elementary School---Andrea Rowe

Whitehead Road Elementary---Kira Graves

Winterville Elementary School---Cedric Payne

2017-18 Paraprofessionals of the Year 

Alps Road Elementary School---Marcus Prince

Barnett Shoals Elementary School---Tammy Gartrell

Barrow Elementary School---Hazeline Samuel

Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School---Tammi Johnson

Cedar Shoals High School---Dan Culliver

Chase Street Elementary School---Sheila Snead

Clarke Central High School---Lisa “Lynn” Queen

Clarke Middle School---Diane Westbrook

Cleveland Road Elementary School---Crystal Elder

Coile Middle School---Carolyn Taylor

Fowler Drive Elementary School---Ruth Pittard

Gaines Elementary School---Cheri Howard

Hilsman Middle School---Kasey Brinkley

J.J. Harris Elementary School---Katherine Patterson

Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School---Hannah Rogers

Stroud Elementary School---Rosetta Denson

Timothy Road Elementary School---Felicia Barrett

Whit Davis Elementary School---Sasha Whitehead

Whitehead Road Elementary School---Harold Faison

Winterville Elementary School---Verna Chester-Brown