Nominate Your Favorite Teacher for a State Award

We all know that the work of a school teacher often goes unnoticed. Georgia's State School Superintendent, John Barge, decided to find a way to remedy that.

Barge has created the Fountain Award, which he named after a teacher who had a tremendous impact on his own educational career; each quarter a teacher will be recognized who has been nominated by a student or former student who had a profound impact on the student's education.

"Monty Fountain taught me that the road to success would be paved with persistence, hard work and a strong work ethic," said Superintendent Barge.

"One of the first things I wanted to do after being elected last year was name an award after Mr. Fountain and give others the opportunity to nominate teachers who helped shape their lives for the better." 

Barge presented the award on Wednesday to Fountain, a former teacher and coach of his in Douglas County, and he's looking for nominations from the public for the next winner of the quarterly award.

Barge surprised Fountain in presenting him the new award, created to showcase educators who inspire students outside of what's in a text book, such as character and perseverance, said Matt Cardoza, spokesman for the Georgia Department of Education.

Fountain still teaches in Douglas County, and he wondered aloud to colleagues about whether Barge would still remember him, just before the superintendent presented him the award, Cardoza said.

Nominations may be made by a current or former student, and the teacher nominations may be for current or former educators.

Send in your nominations to kford@gadoe.org. See the PDF included with this article for a copy of the application.