Bartow Educator Named Middle School Teacher Of The Year

EUHARLEE, GA -- A Woodland Middle School at Euharlee teacher has been recognized at the state level for her talents in educating the children of Bartow County.

Heather Carter, a fifth-year science teacher at the school, has been named the 2017 Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Science Teachers Association.

Carter said she is “humbly honored” to receive recognition from an organization she reveres.

"Over the last few years, GSTA has been an amazing pillar of support for my career and my classroom," she said. "This achievement is one that I will cherish throughout my career and keep as a reminder to continually do my best no matter the circumstances."

Georgia educators must have at least four years of experience to be eligible for the award. After she was nominated, Carter had to submit an educational philosophy, resume, lesson/unit plans and three letters of recommendation.

The recognition didn't come as a surprise to Woodland Middle School Principal Matt Gibson.

"Mrs. Carter is very deserving of the honor," Gibson stated. "She brings an excitement to the study of science that engages her students and allows them to excel. Her lessons are both creative and content driven. Mrs.
Carter cares deeply for her students and looks for every possible avenue to support them and their learning."

Maintaining a rewarding career, Carter said, can be acehived if one is willing to continue with his or her's education.

"I highly encourage anyone who is feeling frustrated, unhappy, complacent, or just looking for fresh pedagogical ideas to actively pursue opportunities in continuing education," she said. "Whether you are a new, mid career, or veteran teacher, there are an abundance of free opportunities available to expand your
educational mindset. By having the good fortune to be exposed to new concepts and ideas within the educational world, I have been able to reinvent my way of teaching over and over."

Image via Bartow County School System