Educators as influencers serves as the theme for Rome City Schools this school year and on Tuesday night at the College and Career Academy at Rome High School the system celebrated teachers and staff at the Exemplary Professionals Banquet highlighting several individuals who serve as great influencers for students.
Elm Street Elementary STEAM Teacher Chelsea Losh said she was truly shocked when she was announced as the 2024 Teacher of the Year.
“I was very surprised. I’m going to be honest there were a few tears. It’s been a journey for me, this is a great thing,” she said.
After the ceremony, Losh attempted to find two other teachers who also received awards on Tuesday. She said that they had a big influence on her early in her career.
“When I started at Rome Middle, Jennifer Vaughn and Pam Williams were the mentors who helped me get here. They showed me what it meant to be an exemplary educator. Laura Walley showed me how to be a great educator that works with people,” Losh said. “I’m excited to be able to represent Rome City. I’m just over the moon.”
Losh will now represent Rome City Schools in the Georgia Teacher of the Year Program where one system winner will be selected as the winner for the entire state.
Elm Street’s Dr. Scott McClure was named the 2024 Professional Staff Member of the Year and when asked what it meant to him, immediately talked about how he is hoping to influence students.
“This award means that I’m serving our children in a great way. I’m being an influencer and helping them to see that they all have bright futures ahead. That’s what winning this means to me,” Dr. McClure said. “I hope I influence kids by them seeing my positive attitude every day, and that they see I have genuine care and concern for them on a daily basis.”
Much like McClure, Losh said she hopes she has a positive influence on her students and instills valuable traits in them.
“I hope to influence my students by helping instill a sense of curiosity about the world. I want them to be confident in knowing that they can solve problems, so that when they come up against problems in school work, in the STEM Lab, or in their own lives they are confident they have the tools within them to solve those problems,” she said.”I want them to know that teachers are here to help them to do those things themselves because they are the ones who are one day going to lead us.”
Rome City Schools honored several employees with 30 years or more of service to the school system. Those employees include: Dennis Dillard, Sylvia Shields, Carlene Turner, Shawn Drummond, Cynthia Henderson, Lisa Johnson and Pamela Williams. The employees received red blazers as well as special rings courtesy of ATL Grad.
Sunday Stephens was named the Operational Professional of the Year, Jane Earle was named the Bus Driver of the Year and Dr. Dennis Drummond was named the Leader of the Year.
The banquet not only honored the district winners for teacher and staff of the year but also honored the winners from each school.
The school winners for Staff Professionals of the Year are Jennifer Cromer from Anna K. Davie, Kelly Gates from East Central, Dr. Scott McClure from Elm Street, Vic Hixon from Main, Caroline Threadgil from West Central, Ragon Crabtree from West End, Jeannie Newman from Rome Middle and Alley Callan from Rome High.
The school winners for Teacher of the Year are Cole Robertson from Anna K. Davie, Miranda Romero from East Central, Chelsea Losh from Elm Street, Amy Holt from Main, Jessica Alexander from West Central, Dr. Sam Simon from West End, Jennifer Vaughn from Rome Middle and Andrea McKenzie from Rome High.
Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland also presented five Rome City Schools Wisdom Academy members with red blazers, honoring them for sharing their insights with the school system.
Wisdom Academy members who received the red blazes are Joyce Gaston, Esther Vaughn, Glenda Allen, Rosie Walker and Willie Samuel.