School District Launches Teacher of the Year Selection Process and Hall of Fame Nominations

The Oconee County Board of Education has officially launched its Teacher of the Year selection process, with ballots set to be distributed on the third Wednesday of the school year. The top five nominees from each school will be invited to submit their school-level entry forms the following week, with staff voting scheduled for the week after that. School-level winners will be announced on September 5, and these winners will advance to the district level, where they will complete free response questions and undergo district observations in September. This year's selection committee will include last year's Teachers of the Year from various schools within the district.

In addition to the Teacher of the Year process, the nomination window for the Oconee County Schools Hall of Fame is now open. Nominations began on August 1 and will be accepted until August 31. Eligible nominees must be former employees who have been separated from the school system for at least three years and have continued to positively impact the community. All nominations will be reviewed by the Hall of Fame selection committee, with inductees honored at the Board of Education meeting on November 10.

Looking ahead, the Board has two action items scheduled for the upcoming meeting on August 11, including a review of board policy GARH, which pertains to employee leave and absences. This policy was tabled for public comment during the July meeting, indicating ongoing efforts to engage the community in school governance. These initiatives reflect the Board's commitment to recognizing excellence in education and honoring those who have contributed to the school community.