New Manchester's Rogers Named Douglas County Teacher of the Year

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Rachel Rogers, a science teacher at New Manchester High School, has been named Douglas County's teacher of the year.

Schools Superintendent Gordon Pritz announced the winner during a Teacher of the Year celebration at Central Baptist Church.

Rogers began her teaching journey as a biology and pre-med major with intentions of going to medical school. But she says she began helping classmates, and felt a sense of satisfaction when they would succeed.

"After much thought and prayers, I entered a non-traditional master’s of education program and accepted my true calling," Rogers said in a news release.

Rogers currently serves as science department chair at her school and holds the position of lead mentor, providing support for beginning teachers.

During the 2015-2016 school year, Rogers was part of a team of teachers at New Manchester who instituted the First Annual REAL Forum at the school, in an effort to encourage young ladies to a higher standard of excellence and offer sound direction and guidance.

She emceed the event and spoke openly and honestly on the importance of young ladies valuing themselves.

"This is a stellar teacher who goes the extra mile to both motivate and engage her students," said former New Manchester Principal Connie Craft. "She is a proponent of making the curriculum relevant to the lives of her students and works diligently with her subject peers to create lessons that accomplish that goal.

"Ms. Rogers’ true gift lies in her ability to build strong, impactful relationships with her students by breaking down the walls of distrust and apathy in order to galvanize her students into action."

Rogers also received the honor of High School Teacher of the Year for Douglas Counoty. Carmilla Hilton, from Factory Shoals Elementary, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kelli Rowsey, from Chestnut Log Middle School, was named Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Photo courtesy Douglas County Schools