State School Superintendent Richard Woods presents state award to Holly Witcher -Photo GaDOE

(Cleveland)- White County teacher Holly Witcher has been named Georgia’s 2024 State Teacher of the Year.

A Georgia Department of Education news release said that State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced the selection at a banquet held Friday night in LaGrange to celebrate all district teachers of the year.

Woods congratulated Witcher, a special education teacher at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School who was selected to represent the county and district in the annual selection process. “Holly Witcher is a shining example of our mission of preparing all students for life,” Superintendent Woods said. “I am inspired by the way she equips her students to live positive, productive lives and helps them connect to their community. I know she will be a phenomenal advocate for public education over the next year, just as she has been for her students in White County.”

Witcher is a 23-year teaching veteran and was named Teacher of the Year for her school in Rockdale County in 2006, along with White County District Teacher of the Year in 2023. In addition to teaching in traditional public schools, Witcher taught online for 10 years at Georgia Cyber Academy, where she served as a lead teacher for four years and as Elementary School Assistant Administrator of Special Programs for four years.

The release says, as Georgia Teacher of the Year, Witcher will serve as an advocate for public education in Georgia, speaking to the public about the teaching profession and serving as an ex-officio member of the State Board of Education. She will also participate in the competitive selection process for the 2025 National Teacher of the Year.