Fannin County’s Teachers of the Year recognized

Fannin County School System’s Teacher of the Year lineup boasts five teachers who have gone above and beyond in their respective schools and classrooms. The school system recognizes and commends these teachers as the roster for the Teacher of the Year Banquet.

Laura Babcock is TOTY at Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year is Laura Babcock. She is a 5th grade teacher for BRES and currently serves as the Special Education Team Leader.

Babcock earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Management from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2008 and her Bachelor’s of Art degree in Elementary and Exceptional Education from University of West Florida in 2014.

Her priority for her students is to prepare her students socially and emotionally for life beyond her classroom.

Tessa Fowler represents East Fannin

East Fannin’s Teacher of the Year is pre-K teacher Tessa Fowler.

Fowler obtained her Associates of Arts degree from Tri-County Community College, and later earned a Bachelor’s of Interdisciplinary Studies degree from Western Governors University.

Prior to teaching at East Fannin, Fowler worked as a pre-K teacher and an assistant director at Milestones Learning Center. Her priority for her students is to bestow the skills necessary to solve problems, control impulses, and have empathy towards others.

Katy Roberson top teacher at West Fannin

Katy Roberson is West Fannin Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year. She is a 1st grade teacher in her sixteenth year of teaching.

Roberson obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from North Georgia College and State University. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s degree of Science in Early Childhood Education, and Education Specialist in Planning and Curriculum from Piedmont College.

Her pedagogical priorities include inquiry based learning and collaborations among students, which allows for exploration and problem solving.

Katherine Franklin named at FCMS

Fannin County Middle School’s Teacher of the Year is Katherine Franklin. She currently teaches for the special education program, eighth grade math, physical science, and social studies. Additionally, she is the special education lead teacher for the middle school.

Franklin holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Secondary History Education from Kennesaw State University, a Master of Science Degree in Incorporating Technology in the Classroom from Walden University, and a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College.

Franklin still works with the Mountain Education High School in special education history in her spare time.

Hope Sowers is TOTY at Fannin High

Fannin County High School presented Hope Sowers as their Teacher of the Year. She currently teaches for the high school’s Impact Center, but boasts an impressive list of roles at Fannin. In her 19 years of teaching at Fannin, Sowers has taught or co-taught British Lit, Chemistry, Spanish, World History, Algebra I/II, Geometry,  Advanced Mathematical Decision Making, Chorus, Self Contained MOID, and all subjects in the Severe and Profound classroom.

Sowers has also coached basketball, volleyball, and E-sports. Additonally, she served on the Transition Collaborative Team, Positive Behavior Support Team, Media Committee, Sunshine Committee, Peer Mentor, Fannin Children’s Fund Committee, and Awards Night Committee.

Sowers earned a degree in Special Education with a concentration on mathematics from Western Carolina University, a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Education, and a Master of Education degree in Instructional Technology from Walden University.

---

Fannin’s Teacher of the Year lineup was announced at the regularly scheduled school board meeting on Thursday evening. The Teacher of the Year Banquet is scheduled for October 3, where just one of these teachers will be named the school system’s teacher of the year.