Deal awards five Georgia teachers for classroom innovations
Five metro Atlanta teachers have been honored for their efforts to bring innovative teaching approaches to the classroom.
Gov. Nathan Deal’s office on Friday announced the winners of the state’s Innovation in Teaching Competition. The winning teachers get a $3,000 stipend and a $4,000 school grant.
The teachers are:
- Farhat Ahmad, who teaches ninth- and tenth-grade literature at McClarin Success Academy in Fulton County.
- Courtney Bryant, who teaches about engineering at Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta.
- Danielle LeePow, a fifth-grade science teacher at KIPP South Fulton Academy in Fulton County.
- Stuart Ogburn, who teaches fourth-grade at Norton Park Elementary School in Cobb County.
- Tom White, who teaches audio video technology and film at Rockdale County's Rockdale Career Academy.
This year’s competition focused on teachers working to close the achievement gap in subjects such as science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The fund that pays for the awards began with a $19.4 million investment as a part of Georgia’s Race to the Top plan. The state has put additional money into the program and is seeking money from businesses and philanthropists for promising classroom innovations.
About the Author
Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He currently writes about higher education and has assisted in the newsroom’s COVID-19 vaccine coverage. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.
