Atlanta teacher is a finalist for state Teacher of the Year

An Atlanta teacher of gifted students, Rita Simmons, is a finalist to become the 2015 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Simmons, who teaches at Cleveland Avenue Elementary School and is already Atlanta Public Schools Teacher of the Year, will be evaluated by a panel of judges through video observations and interviews.

The Georgia Teacher of the Year will be announced during a banquet May 16 and will then serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession across the state and nation.