Georgia Power announced the selection of 41 new teachers from across the state to receive one of the company's annual $1,000 New Teacher Assistance Grants. Since launching the program in 2004, the company has awarded a total of $368,000 in individual grants to more than 340 new teachers from communities across the state. The grants are courtesy of the non-profit Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. and provide the state's newest teachers with funds to purchase classroom supplies and start their classroom careers.

"Georgia's future leaders are learning the skills they need to be successful every day in our classrooms," said Anne Kaiser, vice president of community and economic development for Georgia Power. "Supporting education is supporting our state's future and is critical to ensuring that we are prepared for Georgia's vibrant economic future with a skilled workforce."

Nominations were submitted by Georgia public colleges and universities that have schools of education. To be eligible for a grant, candidates must be in the top 25 percent of their class, be a first-year teacher employed by a public school in Georgia and demonstrate a high aptitude for teaching.

Nominations are reviewed by a statewide selection committee with grants awarded beginning in November. Grant recipients include pre-K, elementary, middle and high school teachers who are encouraged to use the funds to purchase items such as books, educational CDs or DVDs, computers, projectors, or other supplies to enhance their classrooms.

2016 New Teacher Assistant Grant recipients include:

Central Region

• Timothy Jones, Macon (Howard High School)

• Ashleigh Knight, Warner Robbins (David A. Perdue Elementary)

• Kylie Tierce, Warner Robbins (Northside High School)

• Caleb McKeever, Milledgeville (Blandy Hills Elementary School)

• Shancandice Thomas, Perry (Morningside Elementary)

Coastal Region

• Christen Chaplin, Savannah (Beach High School)

• Hazel McCauslin, Brunswick (Goodyear Elementary School)

• Patrick Mickey, Brunswick (Needwood Middle School)

• Grayson "Gray" Mendieta, Swainsboro (Swainsboro High School)

East Region

• Casey Radford, Watkinsville (Oconee County Middle School)

• Hannah Wingrove, Evans (Lakeside High School)

Metro Atlanta

• Morgane Rainwater, Jonesboro (Callaway Elementary School)

• Dustin Denson, McDonough (Excel Academy)

• Florina Mihetiu, Lawrenceville (Kanoheda Elementary School)

• Micheil Hill, Lawrenceville (Archer High School)

• Kaitlyn Ballew, Stockbridge (Cotton Indian Elementary School)

• Jeffrey Stephens, Norcross (Graves Elementary School)

• Mara Johnson, Smyrna (Campbell High School)

• Carley Roberts, Canton (Dean Rusk Middle School)

• Carirosa Powell, Newnan (Madras Middle School)

• Chelsea Knight, Jonesboro (Kendrick Middle School)

• Jason Slaven, Stockbridge (Stockbridge High School)

• Shana Alexander, Jonesboro (Lee Street Elementary)

• Sarah Stream, Suwanee (Riverwatch Middle School)

• Lauren Pehrson, Canton (Hasty Elementary School)

• Alissa Leugers, Lawrenceville, (Jordan Middle School)

Northeast Region

• Stephen Almond, Gainesville (Sardis Elementary School)

• Kathleen Lovell, Flowery Branch (Flowery Branch High School)

• Adam Aldridge, Hoschton (Mill Creek High School)

Northwest Region

• Santiago Nava, Dalton (Dalton Middle School)

• Mandy Owens, Dalton (Eastbrook Middle School)

• Dustin Powell, Rome (Anna K. Davie Elementary School)

South Region

• Christopher Dydell, Albany (Albany Middle School)

• Jakin Tillery, Tifton (Northeast Camus Tift County High School)

• Diane Schenk, Hahira (Hahira Middle School)

• Kade Poole, Douglas (Eastside Elementary)

• Landis Johnson, Quitman (Brooks County Middle School)

• Shedric Office, Asburn (Turner County Middle School)

West Region

• Joshua Knobloch, Columbus (Double Churches Middle School)

• Ravhen Maddox, Columbus (Forrest Road Elementary)