Fulton Schools Celebrate Teacher Of The Year From Chattahoochee

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Honoring talented and dedicated individuals is one component of Fulton County School’s (FCS) commitment to attracting, developing and retaining the best employees and fostering student achievement. As one of four pillars of the 2022 Strategic Plan set forth by the Board of Education, the annual recognition strengthens a culture that celebrates the amazing people who work for the district in all areas.

Over several weeks this spring, FCS announced its top employees – the 2019 Teacher of the Year, Principals of the Year, School Professional of the Year and Support Professional of the Year – at surprise ceremonies.

Pamela Whitlock of Chattahoochee High School was announced as FCS’ Teacher of the Year. Martina Franklin of Liberty Point Elementary School was announced as the district’s School Professional of the Year, and bus driver Ed Weiss was voted Support Professional of the Year.

“My inspiration for teaching - what fulfills me and gets me out of bed in the morning - is the potential for impacting students beyond the four walls of my classroom," Whitlock said. "The relationships that we build can last a lifetime and watching a student grow from being nervous and unsure to confident and intellectually curious is simply amazing. As teachers, we can never doubt the impact that we have on all students, even the ones who may not show us their best selves. Find what gives you passion and joy in teaching. Hang on to your passion and joy of being a learner. Combine those two to create an oasis for your students. This will be one in which every child can develop a love of learning, a skill set that will provide opportunities for success throughout their lives and the confidence to trust in their own abilities without regard to existing barriers.”

Whitlock knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher.

“I can remember begging my older brother to play school with me, and if that wasn’t successful, I would line up my dolls and teach them," she said. "However, I have a rather unique path that has led me to teach computer science at Chattahoochee High School.”

After college graduation with a degree in Elementary Education and Reading, Whitlock believed she was going to change the world by teaching all students to read. She began as a first grade and preschool special needs teacher in North Carolina and later moved to Atlanta, where she took a job as a director of a daycare and preschool. After her second child was born, she was a stay-at-home mom for over a decade, which she also refers to as her “temporary hiatus” from teaching.

During that time, she and her husband started a business, an online allowance management system for kids and families. Through that business venture, developed a love for technology and programming but began to miss teaching. At 40 years old, she retooled her career to combine her love of teaching with her new interest in programming and went back to school. She renewed her teaching certificate, earned an additional Business Education certification and received a graduate degree from the Computer Science Endorsement program at Southern Polytechnic State University. Just as she finished, Chattahoochee High School added computer science classes to their Career Technology and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program – a perfect match for her skillset and interests. As a teacher of four children, all who attended Chattahoochee, joining “the Hootch family” was a natural fit.

Since she began teaching, the number of computer science courses at Chattahoochee has doubled. Equally important as the study of computer science is to her are the relationships with students.

“My greatest teaching joy has come from former students who, although they may have struggled in my class, went on to college and are pursuing computer science careers," Whitlock said. "They did not let a test score define a career path for themselves.”

Additionally this year, FCS honored a principal from each of the four learning communities. Each of these employees was chosen for their exemplary work, leadership and excellence in the school community.

The FCS Learning Community Principals of the Year are as follows:

• Northeast (cities of Alpharetta, Chattahoochee Hills, Johns Creek and Roswell): Martin Neuhaus, Barnwell Elementary School
• Northwest (cities of Alpharetta, Milton and Roswell): Charles Chester, Northwestern Middle School
• Central (cities of College Park, East Point, Hapeville and Sandy Springs): Scott Hanson, North Springs Charter High School
• South and Achievement Zone (cities of Atlanta, College Park, Fairburn, Palmetto and Union City): LaToya Miley, A. Philip Randolph Elementary School

Neuhaus believes that relationships are the top priority and those within the school will determine the amount of learning that occurs.

“As principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our front doors – all of our students, staff and parents – are happy and excited to be here," Neuhaus said. "This attitude enables us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, nurturing and fun environment.”

Neuhaus has served as principal at Barnwell for three and a half years. Having a long history with FCS, he served in various positions. Originally a teacher at Findley Oaks Elementary School, he moved up the ranks as an administrative intern shadowing principals at four FCS schools for six months before becoming a summer school principal at North Springs and the Assistant Principal at Shakerag Elementary School for 14 years.

“I hope to build and work with collaborative teams that empower teachers and students to continuously improve,” Neuhaus said. “Our vision at Barnwell is to be a joyful community of engaged and empowered learners.”

Chester said his mission is to fertilize and cultivate the soil where all students can maximize growth. He has served as Northwestern’s principal for four years, since 2015. From 2008-12, he went from a math teacher to an administrative assistant at Woodland Middle School, and then served as an Assistant Principal at Alpharetta High School from 2012-15. Going forward, Chester envisions redefining success by growth and providing all students with the opportunities to experience growth.

“This opens a pathway for all students to feel valued and to experience success,” Chester said.

North Springs Principal Scott Hanson believes that all students just need the right environment and an opportunity to experiment and grow.

“My vision going forward is to continue creating a school where all students can learn,” he said. “Where teachers are valued as professionals, our core beliefs encompass a positive school atmosphere, meaningful collaboration, purposeful coaching and mentoring, and a sense of community, we become known as 'The North Springs Way.'"

Hanson is finishing his third year as North Springs principal after having spent four years as a principal and 10 years as an assistant principal in Orlando.

The announcements are the result of the school system’s efforts to recognize outstanding employees who contribute to the success and mission of the school system. Each year, every school and administrative support building is invited to nominate exceptional employees based on teacher, staff and parent input. These employees are then evaluated a second time through an application/essay review and interview and one finalist is announced from each of Fulton’s geographic Learning Communities. Teachers of the Year and Principals of the Year nominees also undergo a school visit to demonstrate their leadership and classroom skills.