B.E.S.T. Academy teacher Barry Blackmon II has been named the 2014-2015 Atlanta Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

Blackmon is a sixth grade English and social studies teacher at the B.E.S.T. Academy at Benjamin S. Carson Middle School.

“I come from a family of educators and I can tell you I tried to run from it, but got caught up in it,” Blackmon said in a written statement. “I love teaching and I believe my mission in education is to ensure that my students are knowledgeable, productive, and responsible contributors of the world.”

The other APS Teacher of the Year finalists are Elementary School Teacher of the Year Kesha Payne and High School Teacher of the Year Jayongela Wilder.

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