“I stand here in complete and utter shock. I am so excited. I just can’t believe this,” said Chasity Manning as she took the podium to accept the award as Fayette County’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.
“I stand here tonight because of the support, encouragement and inspiration given to me by so many and for that reason I would like to accept and dedicate this award to the individuals and groups that have led me to this place in my life,” she said.
Manning teaches Advanced Placement world history and world history at Fayette County High. She has taught at the school for the last nine years. Prior to Fayette County High, she taught Georgia History and seventh grade reading for two years at J.C. Booth Middle.
Manning was one of three finalists vying for the 2013 Teacher of the Year title. The other two finalists were Laura Griffies of Kedron Elementary and Susan Skaff of Flat Rock Middle.
During her acceptance speech, Manning gave special recognition to Fayette County High Principal Dr. Charles Warr who will retire at the end of this school year.
“I would like to dedicate this award to teachers everywhere who are blessed enough to have principals who care and support them as well. Thank you, Dr. Warr, for being a positive influence in my life since I was 15 and caring so much for the students and faculty.”
She went on to dedicate her award to a number of colleagues, the teachers she had while a student at McIntosh High, and her family members and close friends. Tears were shed in the audience when Manning sent a special message to her young son who was proudly watching his mother accept the award of the county’s top teacher.
“I would like to dedicate this award to all single mothers out there who feel guilty when they are putting in extra time at work, wishing you could be two places at once. I love you, Daniel, with all of my heart and am so very proud to call you my son.”
Her last dedication was to her students, many of whom were in attendance to support her.
“Thank you so much for the honor of allowing me to be your teacher and shape you and help you get the skills necessary to fulfill your dreams. You are each so amazing and I can’t wait to see how you change the world.”
The Fayette County Teacher of the Year celebration, held this year at the south campus of New Hope Baptist Church April 25, honored all 30 school-level teachers of the year. Each teacher received a commemorative plaque from Coca-Cola Refreshments USA and a $100 check from the Fayette County Education Foundation made possible by donations from school PTO groups and local businesses.
Several sponsors gave additional gifts to the two finalists and Manning. Mike Vigil of Allan Vigil Ford pledged $500 each to Griffies and Skaff and $1,000 to Manning. The Rotary Club of Peachtree City announced the organization would award each of the three teachers $100 at a luncheon in their honor May 9. Kroger presented all three teachers with a gourmet gift basket and a $250 gift card for Manning. Balfour also announced that the company would provide a commemorative Teacher of the Year ring to Manning in recognition of her achievement.
“I truly feel that I have the greatest job in the world and I am so touched and honored to represent the best school system in the state of Georgia. I am so proud to be Fayette County’s teacher of the year,” said Manning in her closing remarks.
As the 2013 Fayette County Teacher of the Year, Manning will go on to compete for the title of Georgia’s Teacher of the Year at next year’s state contest.
