Georgia Outstanding Mentor Teacher 2022-2023 Awardees
Susan Barlow is a second-grade teacher at Brookwood Elementary School in Dalton Public Schools. At Brookwood, she serves as the dual language immersion co-teacher and grade-level chair for second grade. She has served as a mentor for first-year teachers and for interns from Dalton State College since 2019. For the 2020-2021 school year, she was nominated for Brookwood’s Teacher of the Year. In the past, she has served as a classroom teacher in several school systems and as an academic coach.
Palisa Bautista is a Spanish teacher at Colquitt County High School. She began her career in education in 2007. She has played the role of teacher, basketball coach, club advisor, and dance team and step team instructor throughout her 15 years at CCHS. She currently serves as the Department Chair of World Languages. She was named Colquitt County High School’s Teacher of the Year in 2017 and has served as a mentor to first-year teachers and for interns from Valdosta State University since 2014.
Yvette Brown is a Special Education Interrelated teacher at Westside Elementary in Houston County. After serving in the US Army, Mrs. Brown worked as a paraprofessional in Houston County for 19 years before taking the leap to become a fully certified teacher. In December 2014, Mrs. Brown completed her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Special Education and was a member of Middle Georgia State University’s very first graduating evening track cohort.
Barrie Davis is a Kindergarten teacher at Dove Creek Elementary School in Oconee County. She has been teaching Kindergarten for 22 years. Barrie began her career in Barrow County for 15 years and Oconee for the past 7 years. She is a host teacher for North Oconee High school ECE student interns, a mentor in the Future Teachers Club for 4th and 5th grade students, and a mentor for teachers new to Dove Creek Elementary. She was recently awarded Teacher of the Year at Dove Creek for the 2022/2023 school year.
Ashley Fryer is first grade teacher at Blue Ridge Elementary School in Columbia County. She is a graduate of Augusta University and has mentored numerous teacher candidates from that university. Additionally, Ms. Fryer co-facilitates the High School Pathway session of the Impacting Student Learning (ISL) Conference at Augusta University. Ashley also volunteers in the greater Augusta Community.
Travis Moak teaches physical education for kindergarten to fifth grade students at Ila Elementary School in Madison County. He is the head varsity and head junior varsity soccer coach at Madison High School. Mr. Moak has been serving as a summer day camp counselor for the Madison County Recreation Department since 2007. For the 2017-2018 school year, Mr. Moak was the Teacher of the Year at Ila Elementary School.
Kenza Murray teaches 6th-8th grade band at Ebenezer Middle School in Effingham County. She manages and directs the entire band program, which includes 5 bands, and she mentors new teachers in her school. Mrs. Murray assists with the Visible Learning Initiative at Ebenezer Middle School. Additionally, Mrs. Murray serves on the State Executive Board Committee for the Georgia Music Educators Association.
Erica O’Neal is a math teacher and the math department chair at Hampton High School in Henry County. In addition, Erica is the head boys’ tennis coach, the head girls’ tennis coach, and the Region 5 AAAA Tennis Coordinator. In the last academic year, she served as a master teacher to interns participating in the Intern to Teacher program in Henry County Schools. She has provided afterschool tutoring to ensure students are prepared for the state of Georgia’s End of Course tests.
Nancy Smith is a 32-year-teaching veteran in Carrollton City Schools. After being in the classroom for 27 years, she now serves as a system reading interventionist, where she not only teaches reading to struggling readers, but also mentors the teachers of those struggling readers. Additionally, she works as a university supervisor mentoring student teachers. Nancy also serves on the board of FERST Readers, where she works to help build literacy for children birth to five.
Fall 2022 GACTE Conference Mentor Teacher Awards Dinner
