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MELISSA WILKS
OF WYNNTON
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
2008
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Wynnton Arts Academy teacher, Melissa Wilks, is the 2008 Teacher of the
Year (TOTY). Sixty-one nominees were honored by MCSD, Muscogee Educational
Excellence Foundation (MEEF), family, and friends at the “2008 Teacher of
the Year Gala” held Thursday, May 1, 2008. Nancy Johnson is her principal.
She was introduced to the Board at the May meeting.
"My goals for the classroom and my philosophy of teaching can be summed
up in one word: fun," said Wilks. "I know that when students enjoy what they
are doing, they participate freely, work hard, and retain more.”
Wilks is a graduate of Columbus State University, class of 2000. The 2008
TOTY received a $1000 cash award, a billboard with the announcement in her
honor, and a one-year lease of an automobile provided by Bill Heard. All teacher honorees in the
district are recognized and honored throughout the year. Each honoree
received a framed certificate of recognition and $100 in cash. The Top Ten
honorees received $250 each. The MCSD TOTY will also compete at the state
level in Georgia’s Teacher of the Year Program.
The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF) is
a group of community volunteers who support public education. They have
honored Muscogee County Educators by sponsoring the Teacher of the Year
Program since 1996. The process includes each school selecting their teacher
of the year and a selection committee narrowing it to 10 semi-finalists.
After interviewing the semi-finalists, the selection committee chooses three
finalists. The committee then observes the three finalists teaching in their
classroom.
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