Two new teachers have been awarded a $1,000 New Teacher Assistance Grant from Georgia Power.

First-year teachers Binh Hoang of Whitewater High, who teaches physical science and biology, and Christopher Jones of Spring Hill Elementary, a special education teacher, each received the $1,000 grant to help them purchase materials and supplies for their classrooms.

Annually, the deans of Georgia’s state approved public teacher colleges and universities are invited to recommend up to 10 candidates for the grant. The candidates must be in the top 25 percent of their graduating class academically, and have shown high aptitude for teaching while in college, as well as secured a full-time teaching contract at a public school in Georgia during the 2015 calendar year.

A committee that includes the executive directors of education-related organizations and Georgia Power representatives selects the winners. All items purchased with the grant money are property of the teacher for use throughout their teaching career.