Classic City High School teacher Dana Siegmund has been named the 2016-17 Clarke County School District Teacher of the Year. He was recognized during the school district’s annual Teacher of the Year Luncheon at Trumps Ballroom, an event that is annually sponsored by Georgia United Credit Union. At the luncheon, Katherine Byrne, paraprofessional at Barrow Elementary School, was recognized as District Paraprofessional of the Year. 

“Our teachers and paraprofessionals are true community heroes, and they are the ones who make it happen each and every day in our classrooms,” said Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue. “These individuals teach the whole child, they form strong relationships and they help students reach higher levels of achievement. They hold themselves to the highest of standards, and are exceptional representatives of the excellence in teaching that permeates our entire district.” 

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

Siegmund was selected as one of three finalists following a written application process. The other finalists were Angie Pendley (Gaines Elementary School) and Kimberly Ruark (Stroud Elementary School). The selection committee – made up of University of Georgia Graduate School dean Suzanne Barbour, 2015-16 District Teacher of the Year finalist Marc Ginsberg, CCSD Director of Public Relations and Communications Anisa Sullivan Jimenez and Foundation for Excellence board member, parent and local business owner Catherine Neace – observed and interviewed the three finalists. 

When asked about his views on teaching, Siegmund said, “We do not teach the curriculum; we teach students. No matter how disaffected or reluctant they may seem, they all have interests that are personal and sacred. A reverence to the learner’s interests is not only a best practice in the English/Language Arts classroom, but should be considered a first practice in every classroom in every school when we recognize our curricula are the tools for personal growth in students rather than the learning itself.” 

Siegmund 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. Winner Byrne remarked in her application, “I am able to build relationships with my students and therefore I am another person at school that they can trust, believe in and know that they have someone on their side at their school. Students can only begin learning once they know that they feel safe, loved and a part of their school community.”

The full list of honorees is as follows: 

2016-17 Teachers of the Year 

Alps Road Elementary School---Shannon Dupree

Barnett Shoals Elementary School---Lesley Dean

Barrow Elementary School---Em Smith Headley

Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School---Elizabeth McKenzie

Cedar Shoals High School---Joshua Sampson

Chase Street Elementary School---Carrie Maxey

Clarke Central High School---Christian Barner

Clarke Middle School---Cecilia Hyers

Classic City High School---Dana Siegmund

Cleveland Road Elementary School---LeAnna Cuevas

Coile Middle School---Paul Sellew

Fowler Drive Elementary School---Bernita White

Gaines Elementary School---Angie Pendley

Hilsman Middle School---Richard Dorsey

J.J. Harris Elementary School---Lisa Stokes

Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School---Andrea Tillman

Stroud Elementary School---Kim Ruark

Timothy Road Elementary School---Amanda Barham

Whit Davis Elementary School---Amy Cowan

Whitehead Road Elementary---Sarah Ghosheh

Winterville Elementary School---Kelly Parker

2016-17 Paraprofessionals of the Year 

Alps Road Elementary School---Mary Delaine

Barnett Shoals Elementary School---Allison Mustard

Barrow Elementary School---Katherine Byrne

Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School---Angela Christopher 

Cedar Shoals High School---Jonita Martin

Chase Street Elementary School---Barbara Taylor

Clarke Central High School---Deborah Lee Aaron

Clarke Middle School---Charliette Harris

Cleveland Road Elementary School---Sonjua Williams

Coile Middle School---Shantavius Stokes

Fowler Drive Elementary School---April Kelley

Gaines Elementary School---Sonya Welch

Hilsman Middle School---Thelma Tiller

J.J. Harris Elementary School---Rachel Collins

Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School---Wanda Burns

Stroud Elementary School---Cassandra Burch

Timothy Road Elementary School---Kathie Robinson

Whit Davis Elementary School---Kesia Cosby

Whitehead Road Elementary School---Adrian Simmons

Winterville Elementary School---Demetria LaVerne Fortson