Snow Hill - Each of the schools in Greene County recently named their Teacher of the Year. Teachers nominate one of their peers for teacher of the year. Once nominations are collected, the teachers vote for those nominees who will represent their school as Teacher of the Year. Each school has different awards that they give out to their teacher and all are interviewed by a committee of principals, directors, board members, and community members. From the interviews, the Greene County Teacher of the Year is chosen. That individual will then go on to compete for the South East Region Teacher of the Year and if they are fortunate enough they move on to compete for State Teacher of the Year. 

This year’s awardees for Greene County are Nikki Getsinger from Snow Hill Primary, Julia Gurkin from West Greene Elementary School, from Greene Intermediate School, Shenita Dove from Greene County Middle School, Rebecca Burris from Greene Central High School, Brittany Hood from Greene Early College, Sarah Belcher from Greene County Pre-K Center.

We reached out to each and asked them to share just a few words about what this honor means to them and what they are most proud of from their career. 

Rebecca Burris, Greene Central High School’s Teacher of the Year shared that “The fact that my colleagues vote on Teacher of the Year makes this so much more of an honor because it is nice to know that the people I work with daily recognize the work I put into giving my students the best experience possible.”

Burris also shared that she was most proud of “let(ting) my students know that they have someone in their life who will always support and encourage them no matter what. So when I see former students succeeding and doing well, that gives me the biggest sense of accomplishment. I love when students come back to visit and catch me up on their lives.”

Shentia Dove, Greene County Middle School’s Teacher of the Year shared that “ Being able to witness my students' success is what makes me most proud in my career.  Teaching is much more than teaching the subject in your classroom.  My students’ confidence and self-esteem are just as important to me.  Matter of fact, my students know that our classroom is a no-judgment zone.  Witnessing them and seeing their success makes me happy.  We are all trying and none of us are perfect, not even me.  I am honest with my students.  I do my best to create a comfortable learning environment where the kids feel loved. “

Sarah Joyner, Greene County Pre-K Center’s Teacher of the Year shared that she was “ most proud of in my years of teaching is the FUN! REWARDING! EXCITING discoveries that I created with my students. My love for children makes teaching Pre-K absolutely awesome. In my opinion, teaching pre-k is the best because you are starting the foundation with the students. The students learn their letters, numbers, colors, shapes, sorting, and all kinds of basic information that will help them enter into kindergarten. Pre-K is the heart of education. That is just my opinion. I hope that the love and dedication that I have I poured into my students will stay with them forever.”

Julia Gurkin, West Greene Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year shared that “This honor means so much to me. Teaching is not just a career or everyday job to me. It is something I carry over to my personal life. It is a part of who I am. In the four years that I have taught, I have formed such a strong bond with not only my coworkers but the students I have served every day. I have been blessed to work alongside amazing people who have been there for me when I have had questions, been confused, overwhelmed or just had a tough day. They are not just people I work with, but truly my friends. My students have also impacted me so much in my career. Each child I have taught has had their own unique and amazing personality that has shaped me into the teacher I am continuing to try to be. This honor reassures me I have chosen the job God has intended me to have. It pushes me to continue to work hard every day and be the teacher my students need.”