CONYERS, GA (May 7, 2013) Congratulations to Dr. Chuck Garner, Pre-Calculus Teacher at Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology in Conyers (Rockdale County), chosen as one of Georgia United Credit Union & Star94 Radio’s Top Five “Teachers Make a Difference” Award Winners. As part of Georgia United and Star94’s commitment to stronger schools and stronger communities, this educational credit union and metro Atlanta radio station teamed up again this year - to reward teachers who make a difference in the lives of students and their parents.
More than 400 individuals submitted a nomination in recognition of a teacher who has made a difference in their life. From those responses, we selected our Top Five winners, each of whom will be recognized with a reception and lunch at their school (thanks to our friends at Jimmy John’s) the week of May 6-10. Each Top Five teacher will also receive a $500 cash prize and a $250 prize for their school; one Grand Prize winner will also be awarded a $2,000 scholarship towards his or her Continuing Education studies.
Dr. Chuck Garner –Top Five Winner
Precalculus Teacher, Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology, Conyers, GA
“My favorite part of teaching is the moment a person understands something they once thought incomprehensible; the look on the person's face is a mix of joy, surprise, and realization. I live for that!”
Former student Aqib Momin had this to say about Dr. Garner: "A teacher like Dr. Garner is rare – one that truly changes the portrayal of a teacher and completely dedicates themselves to their subject and, despite being at what most would consider the peak, constantly tries to improve so that the students can too. For me, Dr. Garner has ignited a candle in a previously dark room, and in the process, vastly brightened my future. I will never be able to thank him enough for that."
I received my B.S., M.S., and Ph.D., all in mathematics, in 1994, 2000, and 2004, respectively. My dissertation in the field of spectral graph theory was supervised jointly by Gayla Sue Domke and George Davis of Georgia State University. I chose teaching in 1994 because I needed a job so my wife could have the time to obtain her graduate degree. As it turned out, I really liked it, and I have never looked back! I have taught at Rockdale Magnet School since August 2001, where I teach single and multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, the history of math, mathematical problem-solving, and precalculus.
Before arriving at Rockdale Magnet School, I was a middle school math teacher for seven years. The 2012-2013 school year marks my nineteenth year teaching. I have been selected by the STAR student as STAR Teacher 10 times. I received the Excellence in Teaching Mathematics Award for Georgia in 2003 from the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. I was Teacher of the Year for Rockdale Magnet School in 2007. I received the Dwight Love Award from GCTM in 2010 for "distinguished service to the field of mathematics education." Finally, I received the MIT Inspirational Teacher Award in 2011. I am also actively involved in competitive mathematics. I sponsor both the Varsity and Junior Varsity divisions of the Rockdale Magnet Math Team, earning classification state champions for nine of the last 10 years. I am also one of six coaches for the state-wide Georgia ARML team.
The Georgia ARML team is comprised of the 45 best mathematics students in the state who then compete at the world-wide American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) tournament each June. The Georgia team has placed in the top 15 for 22 of the last 23 years. I am the GCTM Vice-President for Competitions, in which capacity I oversee the GCTM middle school math tournament and the State Math Tournament each April. I also serve as a member of the Mathematical Association of America's Committee for the American Mathematics Competition. In this capacity I review and critique proposed problems for the American Math Competition (AMC) and the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME).
I have written 6 books, including a two-volume calculus text, and over a dozen articles. I have presented at numerous conferences on a variety of topics, but especially on all things related to math teams, math tournaments, and mathematical problem-solving. I originated and wrote the curricula for two courses for Georgia high schools, the History of Mathematics and Multivariable Calculus. I have been married for 21 years and my wife and I have two sons.
Read all our TOP FIVE teachers’ biographies here.
Watch for the announcement of our GRAND PRIZE Winner Friday, May 10 from these TOP FIVE Outstanding Teachers:
- Chris Cummo, 7th grade science, Liberty Middle School, Cumming, Forsyth County
- Georgianna Hendrickson, Kindergarten, Vanderlyn School, DeKalb County
- Dr. Chuck Garner, Pre-Calculus, Rockdale Magnet School for Science & Technology, Conyers, Rockdale County
- Lisa Smith, Business Education, Sonoraville High School, Calhoun, Gordon County
- Audrey Hughes, 6th-8th science, Hilsman Middle School, Athens, Clarke County
Stay tuned—We’ll also name one of these 10 Outstanding Runners-up as our STAR CHOICE Award Winner:
We are still tabulating the 10,748 votes for the 10 STAR CHOICE teachers who were selected from among our top finalists and that winner will receive $500 cash and an ice cream party for their class. The STAR CHOICE winner will also be announced on Friday, May 10. The remaining nine candidates will receive “Teachers Make a Difference” gift bags and VISA gift cards:
- Debra Bryan, 7th grade, Davis Middle School, Conyers, Rockdale County
- Kimberly Campbell, 1st grade, Arnold Mill School, Woodstock, Cherokee County
- Kevin Cown, 8th grade Language Arts, Autry Mill Middle School, Johns Creek – Fulton County
- Roy George, Electrical Engineering, Wheeler High School, Marietta – Cobb County
- Otha Hall, 11th grade American History, East Laurens High School, Dexter – Laurens County
- Avis Holbrook, 2nd grade, Dunwoody Elementary School, Dunwoody – DeKalb County
- Dr. Robert Lawrence, Director of Bands, Clarke Central High School, Athens – Clarke County
- Heather MacKenzie, 8th grade Language Arts, Eagles Landing Middle School – Henry County
- Klare McKee, Discovery (gifted) 1st-5th grades, Dunwoody Elementary School – DeKalb County
- Tracy Mooney, Career Tech, North Forsyth High School, Cumming – Forsyth County
About Georgia United Credit Union
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