DUNWOODY, GA (May 9, 2013) Congratulations to Georgianna Hendrickson, Kindergarten teacher at Vanderlyn Elementary School in Dunwoody (DeKalb 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 of you submitted a nomination in recognition of a teacher who has made a difference in your 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.
GEORGIANNA HENDRICKSON, Kindergarten Teacher –Top Five Winner
Vanderlyn Elementary School, Dunwoody, GA
"My favorite part of teaching is getting to know the unique personalities of each child in my class every year, and loving and nurturing their little souls. I also love their parents as much as I do them. The most important word in teacher is "each." It's absolutely amazing to me how they are all so special and different. I especially love kindergarten, because it is truly a garden of beautiful children all blooming at different times. Teaching and learning is so much fun at this young age. "
Parent Molly Peled had this to say about Mrs. Hendrickson: "There aren't many teachers like Mrs. Hendrickson. She is the warmest, kindest, sweetest person I know. Mrs. Hendrickson teaches from the heart, she makes sure that every student of hers feels safe and loved. She not only teaches her students to read and write beautifully, she teaches them to be good human beings. She teaches them manners, she teaches them to care for one another, to care for their families and for the world they live in. She teaches them all of this through songs and games. I myself am a teacher. She by far is my role model and I thank God my son has her for a teacher. Thank you, Mrs. Hendrickson!!!!
Georgianna’s teaching career in a nutshell: “I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Elementary Ed. I'm certified Pre-K through 8th. I also have my Gifted endorsement. I am certified in Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, New Jersey, and Georgia. I have taught Pre-K, K, lst, and 2nd grades for a total of 28 years. I've also taught 5 year olds in Private Pre-K's and was a Music teacher in a Private Pre-K.” To view Georgianna’s complete biography, click 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 announce one of these 10 Outstanding Runners-up as our STAR CHOICE Award Winner Friday . We are still tabulating the 10,748 votes for these 10 STAR CHOICE teachers who were selected from among our top finalists. This winner chosen from Georgia United’s online community poll will receive $500 cash and an ice cream party for their class. 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
- Avid 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
Georgia United Credit Union is ranked as one of the top credit unions in Georgia in both size and safety. Their mission is to save members time and money on their financial services. Georgia United Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) up to $250,000 per account.
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