2 Middle School Teacher of the Year Candidates Named

The Douglas County School System has named the two Middle School Teacher of the Year candidates as Dr. Carol Lobban, from Turner Middle School and Tanganeki Arfre' Shackleford, from Stewart Middle School.

Here's a portion of Dr. Carol Lobban's Teacher of the Year Application:

"Each year the 8th Grade Team invites past students to come in and give talks to our rising  grade students, about their experiences and the expectations of high school and college. I feel a sense of pride listening to my former students articulate the benefits of having had teachers in their lives that 'called their parents, and kept them on the straight and narrow.' In one of these sessions a group of Hispanic students, for whom my team mates and I had implemented a series of Behavior intervention Plans, spoke and thanked us wholeheartedly for our interventions and 
'caring enough to intervene.'

"Each student had graduated from high school after earning 3.0 to 3.8 grade point averages, and had earned Hope Scholarships enabling them to pursue their academic dreams. witnessing my students develop a sense of confidence in their  through their educational progress and personal successes, as well as become productive, successful members of society are what I consider my greatest rewards, contributions, and accomplishments in education."

Here's a portion of Tanganeki Arfre' Shackleford's Teacher of the Year Application:

"In my teaching career, I have many success stories and proud accomplishments of my students. Being a successful educator not only comes from your influence inside the classroom, but also from your support and dedication outside the classroom. I am the teacher who gets involved with the students. If they are participating in extracurricular activities whether school related or not, l make an effort to go out and support them at their games, at their churches, and in their community. I am committed to teaching and to the success of students."

Each teacher’s county level application has been read and scored by a selection committee. The top eight candidates (two each from the middle and high school level and four from the elementary school level) also observed teaching in their classroom. The selection committee interviewed the eight candidates and have named a finalist for each area – Elementary, Middle and High School Teacher of the Year – as well as the overall Douglas County Teacher of the Year.

Recognition of all school level candidates will be held on Friday, Oct. 4 at Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club, 8000 Capps Ferry Road, Douglasville. The reception will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.  The announcement of the Douglas County Teacher of the Year and level honorees will be on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. during the annual Foxhall Family Festival at Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club. 

Related Douglasville Patch story:

2 High School Teacher of Year Candidates Named