Being Chosen a Finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year 'A Huge Honor' For WGHS Teacher

Dr. Polly Holder, a Spanish teacher at Walnut Grove High School said she was "enormously appreciative" to be able to represent Walton County and Walnut Grove High School as one of the 10 finalists for 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

"It is a huge honor for me--I come from a family of teachers--and I carry their hard work and the value they place on education with me daily," Holder said. "In fact, I think that my mother, who is a retired high school math teacher, may be more excited than I am."

When the announcement naming the 10 finalist was made by State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge on Monday with Holder's name was on the list, Gary Hobbs, superintendent of Walton County Public Schools, said he was not surprised.

"Dr. Holder is known throughout the school district as an outstanding teacher who is dedicated to her students," Hobbs said. "We intend to proudly support her as she represents Walton County Public Schools in the Georgia Teacher of the Year Competition."

According to a press release from the Georgia Department of Education, the 10 finalists were chosen from a pool of 155 applicants who were selected as the Teacher of the Year in their school districts. The applications were read by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners and finalists, administrators, community leaders and others. The finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.

Holder said that the honor of being chosen will make her more confident and energized as she works with her students.

"This recognition should also note my coworkers in my department," Holder said. "We design lessons and assessments together, and we are careful to be reflective of our practice in a holistic way. I feel that my colleagues here challenge me to be a better teacher."

A panel of judges will now conduct video observations and interview each of the finalists. They also will be required to give a speech at a luncheon in April sponsored by Georgia Power

"I would love to share any expertise that I have with others. I see this opportunity as a platform to give me credibility to suggest things to my peers," Holder said, going on to explain what it is about teaching that excites her so much. "It's probably trite to say, but the students are the best part of teaching. I am happy to come to work each day, because I know that my students will make me laugh, think, work hard, and push myself.  Spanish is, in my humble opinion, the best of all subjects because it touches every discipline. While we do focus on preparing kids to be able to read, write, speak and listen in a second language, we do so via art, literature, history, food, culture, and music. We do not have a looming or punitive end of course assessment that dictates what we teach, and the Georgia Performance Standards focus on students being able to communicate about themselves.  We are able to differentiate because each student is so very different. I love teaching at WGHS; my peers here are committed, knowledgeable, passionate, and fun."

Holder now joins the other nine teachers to compete for the top position of Georgia's 2014 Teach of the Year. The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet on May 3, 2013, at the Georgia International Convention Center. The banquet, paid for through donations from sponsors, will honor each local district Teacher of the Year. The banquet will follow a reception hosted by United Healthcare.

The teacher who is chosen as the 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year will travel around the state and the nation, serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession. He or she also will be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

In the meantime, Holder said she is happy to be teaching in Walton County and in particular WGHS.

"The students are polite, smart, funny, and just cool kids to be around," she said. "I am proud that my daughter will start school here next year.  I think Walton County is going to be an excellent place for her to grow up."