Forsyth Educator Is Finalist For Teacher of the Year

CUMMING, GA -- A Forsyth County schools educator has been named a finalist for Georgia's Teacher of the Year honor.

Marlo Miranda, an automotive technologies teacher from Forsyth Central High School, is one of 10 teachers still in the running for that honor, the state Department of Education announced.

In all, 155 nominees were originally in the running for the title.

Miranda was Forsyth County schools' Teacher of the Year in 2015.

"Having excellent teachers in the classroom is absolutely essential -- our students cannot succeed at high levels without them," state schools Superintendent Richard Woods said in a news release. "Every one of these ten finalists is a shining example of the difference a great teacher makes in the life of a child. I congratulate each of them on their accomplishments and look forward to working with them to ensure our policies are child-focused and classroom-centered."

The 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year will travel around the state and the nation, serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession. The winner will also be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

The 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Ernie Lee, a history, civics and U.S. government teacher from Windsor Forest High School in Savannah.

"Marlo exemplifies what it means to be an effective teacher in the 21st century," Mitch Young, principal at Forsyth Central, told the Forsyth County News. "He is a relationship-builder. He helps students to make connections to other content areas and is passionate about learning."

Over the next several weeks, a panel of judges will conduct video observations and interviews and hear speeches given by the finalists. The winner will be announced in mid-May, the state education department says.