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A word of thanks

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the entire Athens City Schools Foundation Board, thank you to the individuals, business leaders and dignitaries in our community who have overwhelmingly supported our first annual Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet.

The Foundation is primarily funded by donations from individuals. These funds are channeled to teachers and students in the classroom through grants awarded to teachers who apply and to the third grade violin program — a joint effort of the Athens City Schools and the Foundation in cooperation with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

We especially appreciate our banquet sponsors: SwitchDesk, Morell Engineering, Martin & Cobey Construction, Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Asahi Kasei and Trane. With the strong support of these businesses, the foundation avoided spending funds intended for the classroom.

Articles were published each Wednesday and Saturday preceding the banquet by the News-Courier. Thank you to the editor and staff for their efforts in publicizing the achievements of these outstanding teachers.

The banquet was a collaborative effort to honor the Teacher of the Year candidates within Athens City Schools. One representative was chosen by their peers from each of the eight schools. These individuals and their schools were: Susan Hughes, Athens Elementary; Sara Welcher, Brookhill Elementary; Cassandra Beaty, Cowart Elementary; Lori Hobbs, Julian Newman Elementary; Michelle Smith, Athens Intermediate; Jenny Lindy Johnstone, Athens Middle; Andrew Risner, Athens High; and Casey Little, Athens Renaissance.

From these eight teachers, Michelle Smith was named Elementary Teacher of the Year and Andrew Risner was selected as the Secondary Teacher of the Year for the school system. These two teachers will now compete at the district level for an opportunity to represent Athens at the state level.

I am grateful for the dedication and service of the board members — Trisha Black, Derrick Blackwell, Jack Greenhaw, Clare Grisham, Barry Hamilton, Claire Jones, Ray Neese, Joan Orman, Brian Patterson, Susan Trent and Charles Woodroof. These individuals assisted with planning, decorating, and serving food for the banquet.

The board is indeed grateful to Dr. Chris Hamilton, the executive director of the foundation, and to Ginger Hickman, who were largely responsible for bringing the idea to the board. We look forward to continuing this tradition to focus on the achievements of the outstanding teachers within our system during many years to come because one never knows where the influence of a good teacher may lead.

Sincerely,

Marcia Day,

President

ACSF Board