Norman, Smith profiled for winning TOTY honors

PAM NORMAN Lincoln County and Primary Grades Teacher of the Year

The 2007 "Teachers of the Year" for Lincoln County were recently announced by School Superintendent Randall Edmunds.

They are Pam Norman, Teacher of the Year for the Primary Grades and Lincoln County Teacher of the Year; Bridgette Cliatt, Teacher of the Year for the Elementary Grades; Benton Willis, LCMS Teacher of the Year; and Randy Smith, LCHS Teacher of the Year.

The Teachers of the Year were selected by a group of educators from around the CSRA.

Norman and Smith are profiled in this week's issue of The Lincoln Journal, with the other two honorees appearing in the January 11 issue.

PAM NORMAN

A native of Lincoln County, Pam Norman taught kindergarten at LCES for five years before moving to the second grade where she has remained for the past 16 years.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in education, a master's degree in education, and a specialist's degree in education, all from Augusta State University.

Moreover, she was named "Graduate Student of the Year" for ASU's School of Education in 1991, the same year her master's thesis was published.

RANDY SMITH LCHS Teacher of the Year

As a member of the faculty at LCES, Norman was designated as an "Apple of My Eye" teacher early in her career; then, in 1995, 2000, and 2006, she was selected as the Teacher of the Year for the Primary Grades. In both 1995 and 2000, she went on to capture county-wide Teacher of the Year honors.

In her comments on being named Lincoln County's Teacher of the Year, Norman said, "I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers in this manner. It is my privilege to work with such capable and dedicated professionals."

In other remarks, she stated, "Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible. It is truly the great equalizer. It is the vehicle that allows individuals to create much better lives for themselves. Teaching is vital to realizing the potential of our nation - I'm very proud of my profession."

When she is not busy with her educational pursuits, Norman enjoys reading, working with animals, and traveling to such destinations as Mexico, Canada, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

She and her husband, Bob, have two children, Candace P. Hodnett and Grant Norman, and three grandchildren, ages 5,4, and 2.

RANDY SMITH

An educator for 24 years, Randy Smith began his teaching career at Thomson High School in 1983. In 1985, he joined the faculty at LCHS where he taught ninth-grade English and psychology until he transferred to LCES in 1997 to teach gifted education and serve as the school's academic coordinator. Smith returned to LCHS in 1999 and currently teaches ninth-grade English and drama.

"Being named Teacher of the Year for LCHS confirms what I feel in my heart - that teaching high school students is my calling," said Smith. "It's what I love to do."

He went on to point out that the teaching profession is like no other in that it operates under a constant barrage of criticism from the media, politicians, and sometimes, parents. "Yet, in spite of all the criticism, teachers still get up, go to work, and do their jobs admirably - they wouldn't stay in the teaching profession unless they loved it.

"As a teacher, I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I see my students succeed," Smith continued. "However, the best thing about teaching is seeing students learn to like themselves - it helps me stand a little bit taller because maybe I had some part in that."

After graduating with honors from LCHS in 1978, Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in English education from the University of Georgia in 1983, a master of education degree from Cambridge College in 1999, and a specialist degree in administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University in 2000.

During his career as an educator, Smith has received a number of impressive honors. He was selected as Lincoln County's Teacher of the Year and LCHS Teacher of the Year in 1989 and was also included in that year's edition of "Outstanding Young Men of America." He was again designated as LCHS Teacher of the Year in both 1994 and 2000.

Furthermore, Smith has been named Lincoln County's STAR Teacher five times. He was singled out for the honor by STAR Student Tyson Turner in 2002, by Carole Bufford in 2000, by Dant Danner in 1998, Joey Greenwald in 1993, and Jennifer Webb in 1990.

Concerning other school activities, Smith coaches the boys tennis team and directs the theatre department's spring musical each year.

In his spare time, the Teacher of the Year enjoys reading, playing tennis, and traveling.

He and his wife, Jeanie, have one son, Hunter, who is 18 years old.