By Lynn Davidson
Staff Writer
It could have been an evening of jittery nerves, but one McDuffie County teacher made up her mind long before that she was not the one in control. The seven Teachers of the Year of each McDuffie County school were honored Monday evening during an annual banquet, when the County Teacher of the Year was announced.
"When starting this process, any one of the seven candidates hopes to be the County's Teacher of the Year," Dearing Elementary Teacher of the Year Lori Whatley said. "I just prayed and gave it to the Lord so I didn't have to worry about it anymore."
In his welcoming remarks at the banquet, McDuffie School Superintendent Mark Petersen said "they are all winners in my book." But the one winner for the county for 2010 Teacher of the Year was Mrs. Whatley.
"I am humbled and honored, not just for me, but to represent all the teachers of the county," she said. "I hope I do a good job."
Finally, Mrs. Whatley was introduced by Elizabeth Land, a junior at THS who reminisced about Mrs. Whatley being her first grade teacher. Elizabeth told the story of her first days at school, when she would scream and cry and cling to her mother because she didn't want to go into the classroom.
"Mrs. Whatley held me and promised me everything would be okay," Elizabeth said. "No matter how many bad mornings I had, Mrs. Whatley was always comforting and patient. She knew exactly how to make me feel secure. ... Mrs. Whatley is still one of my favorite teachers. To this day, we still keep in touch... Mrs. Whatley, you are the greatest. Thank you so much for helping me my first year. You made it a wonderful experience."
Mrs. Whatley will represent McDuffie County in the Georgia Teacher of the Year program. The state winner will be announced in the spring. Just like Mrs. Whatley felt about the county banquet, her husband isn't stressing about any of the process.
"I cut up and I joke a lot, but I've always been proud of Lori even during her first year of teaching," he said after the banquet. "She's sincere and she's honest in everything she does. Nothing she does is for show. She gives her all. Whether she was nominated or not, and whether she won or not, I'm proud of her."
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