CUMMING, GA (May 8, 2013) Congratulations to Chris Cummo, 7th grade science teacher at Liberty Middle School in Cumming (Forsyth 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 nominations 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 and Mayfield Dairies) 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.
CHRIS CUMMO –Top Five Winner
"My favorite part of teaching is helping students realize how great life can be regardless of who they are or what situation they're in. Every minute is an opportunity for good. The positive outlook I bring to school allows me use every moment as an opportunity to get students excited about their life."
Liberty Middle School - Cumming, GA
7th Grade Science
I believe that education begins beyond the constraints of a classroom. One of the exciting opportunities we have as educators is to provide our students with experiences. I make sure to provide my students with exciting, engaging educational experiences in my classes every day. But that is only the beginning. When I got my bus driver's license 22 years ago, my first year of teaching, I knew I was going to take students places to have experiences. In my 22 years so far teaching math and science, I have taken student groups on over thirty overnight field trips and countless day trips. We have spent the night in a cave, been on team-building ropes courses, experienced environmental education camps, and taken trips to the coast. More important, my students have had the unparalleled experience of presenting student-produced multi-media slide show presentations at middle schools, universities, and professional conferences. These presentations they produced under my guidance on topics such as Anti-Bullying, World Events, Environmental Awareness, and Global Humanitarian Issues. In such adult settings where they are the experts, running their slide shows and answering questions afterwards, my students are experiencing a sense of pride, ownership, and accomplishment that is beyond their middle school years.
Parent Dawn Thomas had this to say about Mr. Cummo: "Mr. Cummo is constantly looking for ways to connect with the students, at their level. He is the most open teacher I've ever seen in a classroom. He invites the students to learn about his interests (music and hockey), while encouraging them to pursue their own. Mr. Cummo is excited about learning and it shows through his teaching."
To view Chris Cummo’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—Friday, we’ll also announce 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 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
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