Duluth, GA (October 29, 2012) - During the fall, Georgia United Credit Union teamed up with Star94 Radio to ask parents and students to tell us about an outstanding teacher who made a difference in their lives. Thanks to every individual who took the time to nominate a special teacher for our first annual “Teachers Make a Difference” Awards.
Any full-time teacher at an accredited public or private school in the state of Georgia was eligible, as long as they were still teaching. Applications were taken online through Georgia United and Star94’s websites and over 600 entries (of 500 words or less) were received by the September 21 deadline.
Honoring our top “Teachers Make a Difference” winner: Karen Miller, Star94; Crazy Mike, Star94; Principal Melanie Castelle; Winner Joy Hurd; Kim Wall, Georgia United, and Ali Mac, Star 94. From all the amazing entries, one winner per week was selected, for four weeks, each winner receiving a $500 cash prize and a $250 prize for their school as well as lunch for the entire school staff. Congratulations to our four weekly winners, listed below. Biographies of each of the four finalists can be found at georgiaunitedcu.org.
- Carla Moore, 4th Grade Teacher, Kelley Lake School, DeKalb County
- Neil Ruby, Director of Bands, Central-Carroll High School, Carrollton
- Joy Hurd, Special Education Teacher, Coralwood School, DeKalb County
- Ivan Zeitlin, 4th Grade Teacher, Shiloh Point School, Forsyth County
From these worthy finalists, one Grand Prize winner was chosen to receive an additional $2,000 scholarship towards his/her Continuing Education studies.
We are excited to announce our Grand Prize winner is Joy Hurd, Special Education Teacher at Coralwood Center in DeKalb County. Georgia United and Star 94 Radio representatives surprised Joy with her cash prize at her school on Monday morning, October 29. The entire school burst into applause when the announcement was made over the PA system. This 16 year DeKalb School veteran (also a married mother of three children) clearly loves working with children. When asked what she loves most about teaching, she said, “My favorite part of teaching is watching children show independence. My happiest moments are when I see their smiles of discovery when, after much repetition, they slide their fingers across Braille, use sign language, activate switches or exchange pictures for desired items.”
About Georgia United Credit Union
Georgia United Credit Union is considered the largest educators’ credit union in the state. Ranked as one of the top credit unions in Georgia in both size and safety, their top priority is to save members time and money. Georgia United Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) up to $250,000 per account.
Georgia United Credit Union serves all State Agency employees, all county government employees, Board of Regents Colleges and Universities, adult & technical education schools, employees of over 450 companies and 11 county school systems. Additional information may be located at georgiaunitedcu.org or at our media center.