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Phenix City Schools Announces 2024 Teacher of the Year Finalists

August 13, 2024

Phenix City Schools Announces 2024 Teacher of the Year Finalists

Phenix City Schools proudly announces the finalists for the 2024 Teacher of the Year awards. These awards celebrate exceptional educators who have demonstrated unparalleled passion, dedication, and creativity in their teaching and profoundly impacted their students' lives.

Superintendent Dr. Sherrod remarked, “These educators have demonstrated unparalleled passion, dedication, and creativity in their teaching, profoundly impacting their students' lives. Their commitment to fostering a love of learning and achieving educational excellence is truly commendable.”

2024 Teacher of the Year Finalists:
Elementary Teacher of the Year Finalists:

This is Mrs. Booth's yearbook photo. She is smiling and up against a bright blue background.

Tabatha Booth, Lakewood Elementary School: A passionate educator with nearly two decades of service, Booth has dedicated her career to fostering a love for reading and literature among her students. Her innovative initiatives, such as the “Read Across America” campaign and the establishing of an AR Achiever Store, have significantly enhanced students' reading experiences. Booth’s deep commitment to education is rooted in her childhood experiences and her belief that teaching is more than just a profession—it's a calling.

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Krystle Walton, Meadowlane Elementary School: Walton brings 13 years of experience to her role, teaching third-grade English Language Arts and Social Studies. Known for her strong classroom management skills and her ability to build lasting relationships with students, Walton is a dedicated educator who believes in the power of real-world applications in learning. Her success is evidenced by her students' impressive growth on standardized assessments and her leadership roles within the school community.

This is Mrs. Greene's yearbook photo. She is wearing a yellow shirt and smiling against a blue-grey background.

Jennifer Greene, Sherwood Elementary School: Greene's journey in education is one of perseverance and passion. Returning to college to complete her degree amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has since become an inspiring figure at Sherwood Elementary. Greene is recognized for her hands-on, project-based learning approach, which she believes is key to making learning relevant and engaging for her students.

Secondary Teacher of the Year Finalists:

This is Mrs. Rey's yearbook photo. She is wearing a black and white patterned shirt and smiling against a blue-grey backgroun

Kim Rey, Central High School: A dedicated science educator, Rey has spent nearly 20 years teaching a wide array of science courses at Central High School. Her approach to teaching science is hands-on and inquiry-based, allowing students to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Rey's commitment to her students extends beyond the classroom, where she plays a pivotal role in the school’s science fair and other academic initiatives.

This is Mrs. Gonzalez' yearbook photo. She is wearing a black shirt and smiling against a grey background.

Zulaica Konz-Gonzalez, Central Freshman Academy: With over 18 years of experience teaching Spanish, Konz-Gonzalez has significantly contributed to fostering cultural awareness and language proficiency among her students. As an instructional coach, she supports her colleagues in achieving their educational goals, ensuring that all students receive high-quality instruction. Konz-Gonzalez' dedication to cultural diversity and her innovative teaching strategies have left a lasting impact on her students and the school community.

These exceptional educators were selected for their unwavering commitment to fostering a love of learning, innovative teaching practices, and significant contributions to their students' academic and personal growth.