The time has come once again to shine a light on a few of Rome City Schools’ most dedicated team members. On October 19, after the monthly school board meeting, system leadership set aside some time to announce this year’s Teacher and Support Employee of the Year during a banquet organized in their honor.
Rome City Schools Superintendent Louis Byars welcomed those in attendance, including the candidates for Teacher and Support Employee of the Year. Each year, an educator and support staff member are selected for this honor at their home schools. The winners were chosen from that group of candidates. Members of the Rome City Schools Board of Education, along with Superintendent Louis Byars, Central Office faculty members, school principals, and fellow educators, were also on hand for this very special announcement.
Candidates had to complete a rigorous application process and be chosen by a panel at the state level. This panel
looked at the teachers’ and support employees’ total body of work and selected the winners.
Next, Angie Newby, Human Resources Director for RCS, thanked the sponsors for this event that included Floyd Medical Center, Ernie Morris Enterprise, Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific, and West End Florist.
After a brief dinner break, food provided by the Rome City Schools College and Career Academy culinary arts students and their teacher, Dr. Dawn Williams, RCS associated superintendent, recited a poem that expressed the importance of teachers in the lives of everyone they serve. Dr. Williams then invited Board Chairperson Faith Collins and Vice Chairperson Jill Fisher to announce the support employee and teacher of the year candidates.
Candidates are as follows:
Support Employees of the Year-
Name: Wyatt Sharp
Anna K Davie Elementary: Custodian
Years of service: 12 years
Name: Michael Bray
East Central Elementary: Custodian
Years of service: 23 years
Name: Dr.Scott McClure
Elm Street Elementary: Paraprofessional
Years of service: 5 years
Name: Darryl Hart
Main Elementary: Custodian
Years of service: 3 years
Name: Ignacio Miranda
West Central Elementary: Parent Mentor
Years of service: 1 year
Name: Patricia Sanchez
West End Elementary: Administrative Assistant
Years of service: 5 years
Name: Tammi Bramlett
Rome Middle School: Paraprofessional
Years of service: 19 years
Name: Patti Martin
Rome High School: School Nutrition Program Manager
Years of service: 10 years
Name: Teresa Price
Central Office and Technology: Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent
Years of service: 29 years
Name: Eugene Rossiter
Maintenance & Transportation: Bus Driver
Years of service: 4 years
The Support Employee of the Year Winner is Mrs. Teresa Price.
Mrs. Teresa Price has worked with Rome City Schools for the past 29 years. During Mrs. Price’s tenure, she has maintained a seamless transition at the central office through four administrations. This past year, Mrs. Price has ensured that the RCS district has been cared for as they have had to navigate through many challenges. Not only does Mrs. Price maintain the frontlines of the central office, but she also serves as a foundation of support for each member of the board of education. Mrs. Price serves with a helping heart and takes great pride in being part of Rome City Schools.
“I am beyond excited and shocked to be named Support Person of the Year for Rome City Schools,” smiled Price. “I am working on my thirtieth year and truly… I cannot think of anything that I would rather be doing than this job right here. I have loved every single person I have had the privilege of working with over the years, and if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s just a team effort and I am so honored to have been chosen, and to call myself part of the pack!”
Next, the candidates for Teacher of the Year were announced and they are as follows:
Teacher of the Year-
Name: Charnita McIntosh
School: Anna K. Davie Elementary School, 5th grade, Science & Social Studies
Years at RCS: 3
Name: Ann Marie Grimes
School: East Central Elementary School, 1st grade, all subjects
Years at RCS: 10
Name: Ashley Anglin
School: Elm Street Elementary School, 1st grade, all subjects
Years at RCS: 9 years
Name: Carly Spivey
School: Main Elementary School, 1st grade, all subjects
Years at RCS: 14 years
Name: Annette Tew
School: West Central Elementary School, 5th grade Math
Years at RCS: 4 years
Name: Ginger Jarrell
School: West End Elementary, Kindergarten, all subjects
Years at RCS: 17 years
Name: Jacob Addison
School: Rome Middle School,7th & 8th grade, Construction
Years at RCS: 7 years
Name: Amanda Howell
School: Rome High School, 12th grade, English
Years at RCS: 18 years
Runner up for Teacher of the Year is Ms. Amanda Howell.
Ms. Howell currently teaches Senior English and has been teaching at Rome High School for 18 years. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ms. Howell also serves as the English Department Head, as well as serves on numerous committees at the high school. Ms. Howell has also been named S.T.A.R. teacher at Rome High School.
Ms. Howell earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2003 and then her Masters of Secondary Education in 2007 from Berry College and earned an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 2012 from Lincoln Memorial University. In 2019, she attended The University of Texas at Tyler where she completed an 18-hour Milestone with the master’s Program in English.
“I am deeply honored to have been named runner-up for Teacher of the Year,” shared Howell. “This means a lot to me and I am just so grateful for this recognition.”
And the 2021 Teacher of the Year goes to Ms. Ashley Anglin.
Ms. Anglin currently teaches first grade and has been teaching at Elm Street Elementary School for the past 10 years. She was awarded the Levy Award and the STAR Discovery Educator award from Discovery Education in 2016. Ms. Anglin is described by her principal as creative and nurturing. Through her creativity, Ms. Anglin’s students perform at high levels, achieving state recognition. Ms. Anglin was instrumental in helping Elm Street Elementary become a STEM certified school by the Georgia Department of Education.
Ms. Anglin received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Berry College in 2007. She received her Master of Education in Early Childhood Education from Berry College in 2012. She also received her Reading Endorsement from Berry College in 2012.
Ms. Anglin will be advancing to the Georgia Department of Education to represent Rome City Schools for an opportunity to win Teacher of the Year at the state level.
“I am so honored to be recognized alongside so many amazing fellow teachers,” said Anglin. “This award would not be possible without my Elm Street family.
“I am filled with joy and gratitude every morning when I walk through those doors; we are truly a family. I strive every day to be a light for my students and to help them realize the gifts within themselves. I am immensely proud to be a teacher,” continued Anglin. “Thank you for this honor of Teacher of the Year.”
Superintendent Louis Byars closed the ceremony just before the wave of congratulations were heard by all candidates and the winners.
“I am proud for Ms. Anglin, and I am proud for our Elm Street family,” smiled Laura Walley, Principal at Elm Street Elementary School. “Ms. Anglin is very humble and extremely deserving of this honor. She does so much for our school family and gives her all in the classroom every single day. While she is never looking for recognition, she is worthy of so much! This is a very fitting honor for a teacher like Ashley Anglin.”