Best of the Best: Three Finalists Named for APS 2014-2015 Districtwide Teacher of the Year

I am excited to announce the district’s three finalist for APS Teacher of the Year.  All of our teachers work tirelessly throughout the year, but these three, according to their peers, deserve a special honor. 

Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Kesha Payne – Teacher, Grade 3

Warren T. Jackson Elementary School

 Middle School Teacher of the Year

Barry Blackmon – English Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher, Grade 6

The B.E.S.T. Academy at Benjamin S. Carson Middle School

 High School Teacher of the Year

Jayongela Wilder – Drama Teacher

Carver High School of The Arts

APS teachers will compete for the APS 2014-2015 Districtwide Teacher of the Year during an awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 16, 2014.  Congratulations to all of our elementary, middle and high school instructors who earned this honor at their school level, and a great big high-five to our three finalists.

(From L-R) Meet Kesha Payne, Elementary School Teacher of the Year from Jackson Elementary, Barry Blackmon, Middle School Teacher of the Year from B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School, and Jayongela Wilder, High School Teacher of the Year from Carver School of the Arts.  Candidates for Teacher of the Year are nominated by their respective schools. APS then selects an elementary, middle school and high school teacher of the year from a list of semi-finalists to compete for the districtwide honor.