Retiring Georgia State Teacher of the Year Ernest Lee honored by district colleagues

Ernest Lee, a teacher at Savannah Arts Academy and the Georgia State Teacher of the Year who is retiring, was recognized by Savannah-Chatham County Schools staff and colleagues for his years of service and influence on students.

Melissa Sukonick, representing the Office of Instructional Excellence, introduced Lee to the gathering and presented the recognition. Colleagues and attendees praised his long career and its impact on students and staff across the district.

Lee described his approach to teaching as focused on critical thinking and relationships. "I'm teaching young people not what to think, but how to think," he said. He told the group that building trust with students was central to learning: "If they knew they could trust me and I could trust them, then the learning was limitless."

Speakers at the recognition said Lee had affected thousands of students through classroom teaching, extracurricular roles and mentorship. One attendee said Lee had left "an indelible mark on the organization and the community as a whole," and noted former students often return as educators and staff.

Lee framed his retirement as a new phase rather than an ending. "This is not the end. This is the beginning," he said, adding that receiving cards and stories from former students has been especially meaningful.

No formal actions, votes or policy decisions were made during the recognition. The remarks and presentations were part of a district recognition of staff, and attendees limited their comments to gratitude and personal recollections.