The GATE Mentor Teacher of the Year award is given in honor of Robert Knowles, a former president of GATE (1975-1976) and an educator at both the public school and college levels, and recognizes a classroom teacher mentoring pre-service teachers whose teaching and supervision excellence merits special recognition. This award carries a monetary stipend, a year’s membership in GATE, and a plaque.
One nomination letter should emphasize the unique contribution made to pre-service teacher development and/or contribution to the profession and it should also highlight the nominee’s ability to meet the award criteria. Two additional letters of support should be included in the nomination packet. No letters will be returned.
Award Criteria:
- Must be a classroom teacher in a Georgia public county or city school system or in a private independent or parochial school in Georgia.
- Must have extensive experience with pre-service teachers from teacher education programs in colleges and universities in the state.
- Must demonstrate a cooperative attitude in working with college or university personnel (e.g., working closely with college or university faculty, serving on committees, presenting workshops, being a guest lecturer for an education course).
- Must be prepared for effective supervision. Evidence of preparation may include, but is not limited to, seminars, program orientations, and workshops for the development of supervision skills and Supervising Teacher Service (TSS) certification.
- Must demonstrate a unique contribution made to pre-service teachers’ development and contributions to the profession (e.g., co-planning and co-teaching, ongoing, constructive feedback).
Application Packet Must Include:
- Cover page to include nominee’s name, telephone number and e-mail address, name and address of employing school and the name of the principal or superintendent, job title with description of position and explanation of duties, dates of employment; name and contact information of person nominating and his/her position in State Affiliate if applicable
- One nomination letter highlighting the nominee’s ability to meet the award criteria.
- Letters of support from supervisors, peers, students, or professional colleagues (no more than two).
Deadline for receipt of nominations: June 15 of each year.
Email all nominations to:
Dr. Don Livingston
LaGrange College
Email: [email protected]
Award Winners:
2023: Not Awarded
2022: Not Awarded
2021: Not Awarded
2020: Not Awarded
2019: Not Awarded
2018: Jo Smith, Winterville Elementary School, Clarke County
2017: Ebony Robinson, North Columbus Elementary School, Muscogee County
2016: Marci McKeever, Turner Woods Elementary School, Jones County
2015: Cheryl Nicolls, Brooks Elementary School, Coweta County
2014: Gloria Anderson, Timothy Road Elementary School, Clarke County
2013: Cheryl Wright, Isle of Hope Elementary School
2012: Michelle Mark, Dunwoody Springs Elementary School
2011: Marianne Ayoob, Barnett Shoals Elementary School
2010: Michelle Whitmire, Holly Springs Elementary School
2009: Angela Susan Brooks and Elizabeth Royer
2008: not awarded
2007: Cindy Butler, Richard Hill Primary School
2006: Jennifer Okiyama, Dunwoody Springs Charter School
2005: not awarded