Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Three Atlanta Public Schools teachers received an unexpected personal congratulations from Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen when she stopped by their classrooms to congratulate them on becoming the elementary, middle and high school APS 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year. One of the three finalists will be recognized as the APS districtwide teacher of the year on October 29 at the APS Employee Recognition Celebration.
 
The 2015-2016 Districtwide Teacher of the Year finalists are:     

APS Elementary School Teacher of the Year – Dennis Toliver
Dennis Toliver, grade 3 teacher at Grove Park Intermediate Elementary School, has taught for nine years and is in his
fourth year at APS. “I love helping children accept challenges, break barriers, discover their success, and mature into
intellectual, marketable, and productive citizens of society,” said Toliver. He has always believed that every student
has the potential and desire to learn and develop into successful, productive, life-long learners.
 
APS Middle School Teacher of the Year – Travis Brown
Travis Brown, grade 6 social studies teacher at Sylvan Hills Middle School is celebrating 20 years in education. He uses innovative teaching methods and incorporates fun jingles to teach complex topics in history and geography. Brown’s fourth grade teacher influenced him to become a teacher; she believed in him and went the extra mile to support his learning and ultimately helped him to believe in himself. “I teach because I love children and it is the most effective and enjoyable way to change the world,” said Brown. “What I like most about being a teacher, STUDENT SUCCESS!”
 
APS High School Teacher of the Year – Scott Allen
Scott Allen, an AP Latin teacher for grades 9-12 at Henry W. Grady High School, is in his sixth year teaching at APS. When asked about teaching, Allen says, “It’s in my blood.  Both of my parents were public school teachers, and my brother is as well.  When I graduated from undergrad, I knew I wanted to be in a helping profession.” After teaching just one class, he would come home to tell his wife, “Wow!  I can’t believe I get paid to do this.  I LOVE THIS!”  Allen’s wife encouraged him to follow that passion into a full-time career or risk regretting it for the rest of his life.  He has been a teacher for seven years now, and has never looked back. Allen’s favorite part of teaching is forming and fostering positive and collaborative relationships with students.  He loves his students and loves seeing the “light bulbs” go off. Allen is awed by his students’ creativity and original thought.

The APS Districtwide Teacher of the Year will be announced during the APS Employee Recognition Celebration at 5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015 at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, located at 100 CNN Center, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303.