Mahoganey Jackson, eighth-grade social studies teacher from Sylvan Hills Middle School, was named Atlanta Public Schools’ 2017-2018 Districtwide Teacher of the Year during the ApyeS! Awards held Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Woodruff Arts Center.
 
As a teacher leader, Jackson serves as grade level and department chair as well as a member of the school’s leadership team. In addition to being a curriculum writer for Atlanta Public Schools, she also has served as a district trainer during the implementation of the APS Units of Study. Jackson currently serves as the campus lead for Sylvan’s New Teacher Mentor Program, and is a member of the National Council of Teacher Quality in which she reviews teacher preparatory program curriculum.

With a strong interest in educating inner-city youth, Jackson thrives on helping youth achieve greatness both academically and personally. She is committed to ensuring every student receives a quality education, from a quality teacher, and works within her capacity to fulfill this outcome.
 
As the APS Districtwide Teacher of the Year, Jackson will continue on to compete for Georgia Teacher of the Year next spring.  APS is home to the 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Dr. Jadun McCarthy; 2013 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist, Elisha Gray; 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist Tamika N. Ball; 2015 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist Rita L. Simmons; and 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist Jerry Kosoff.
 
Finalists for this year’s award included Jennifer Lockwood, a 13-year veteran and a third grade teacher at Springdale Park Elementary, and Chef Larry Alford, culinary arts teacher and department chair for CTAE, Art, World Language and Physical Education at Crim Open Campus High School.
 
Candidates for APS 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.
 
All school-level Teachers of the Year were recognized during the special awards ceremony along with cluster-level partners. Other 2017-2018 APyeS! honorees included:
 
Principal of the Year – Dr. Dione Simon Taylor, Towns Elementary School

Assistant Principal of the Year – Ernest Sessoms, Jr., Boyd Elementary School

Schools First Award – Rhonda Dunn, APS Finance team member

Students First Award – Charles Brown, Bus Driver

Unsung Hero of the Year – Sara Thurston, Friends of King

Districtwide Partner of the Year – Chick-fil-A Foundation