Gwinnett names 2010 Teacher of the Year

"I believe all of us have learned the secrets to being a great teacher," she said to the crowd of 112 local school Teacher of the Year honorees. "It's to love your kids, love your subject and be willing to reflect on your teaching and change when needed."

Mark Landtroop of Winn Holt Elementary and Stringfellow were designated elementary and middle school teachers of the year. James Glenn of Norcross High was presented the award for high school teachers.

The other three finalists were Joe Cox of Brookwood High; Chuck Lockert of the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Jennifer Rolfes of Mill Creek High.

Stringfellow 's teaching career extends over two decades. She earned her specialist’s degree from Lincoln Memorial University in education administration and leadership. She also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both from Troy University.

Stringfellow will receive an additional $1,000 in her annual contract for as long as she teaches in Gwinnett County Public Schools. The two level winners for elementary and high school each will have $750 added to their annual contracts.

Elementary teacher Landtroop has been with Gwinnett schools since 2000.

“Both of my parents are teachers, and I had the unique experience of growing up in a home where education was a top priority,” he said. “The influence that my parents had on their students and the community was contagious.”

He said he thinks students need a balance between strong academics, motivation and a values system. Some of the values and life skills he teaches his students, such as respect, are learned through his “Dress for Success” program, a once-a-week activity that encourages students to wear their “Sunday best” to school.

High school teacher of the year Glenn said he has always had a special interest in academics with social studies content. Although he originally entered the business world, Glenn made the decision to pursue his master’s degree in education within a year of his college graduation.

He said he thinks his greatest contribution is his passion for what he does.

“What we do as teachers is important," he said. "The profession deserves a commitment from each individual to pursue quality.”

His advanced placement world history students exceeded the national and international norms, meaning the underclassmen in his classes outperformed other test-takers who were predominantly juniors and seniors. Glenn saw an increase in the number of students who earned perfection on their AP world history test, a test that helps them earn college-level credit.

This is Glenn’s 10th year teaching social studies to Norcross High students. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida, and he later earned a master’s degree in secondary instruction and a specialist’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Piedmont College.