STORIES GO HERE---------------------->

Pam Brown,

technology teacher from Smokey Road Middle School and

Coweta's Teacher of the Year, is a semifinalist for

Georgia Teacher of the Year 2001.

This marks

the fourth year in a row a Coweta teacher has made it as

far as the semifinalist cut, with two Coweta teachers

- Nancy Royal and Jamie Lipscomb - going all

the way.

"Being

named one of the 12 semifinalists for Georgia Teacher of

the Year is overwhelming," said Brown. "I would

never have placed or pictured myself in this position.

There are so many exemplary teachers across the state,

that I am still trying to let this honor sink in.

"There

have always been teachers that I have held in the highest

regard, ones that have taught me to be a better

teacher," she added. "These are the teachers

that I see as being outstanding. When I was named Coweta

County TOTY, I was shocked, knowing the quality of

teachers that we have in Coweta County."

Brown said

she has never seen herself as being a better teacher than

any of her colleagues. "I just try to do my very

best and give 110 percent effort," she said, adding

that her attitude comes from how she was raised. "I

was taught early on that when you take on a job or task,

do it to the very best of your ability. You may not

always have the greatest success, but you will know that

you gave your all."

Brown is in

the process of making two videos, one of herself teaching

her students and another in which she speaks to the

public regarding public education. The Georgia TOTY

committee will use these videos to select the finalists

and next Georgia Teacher of the Year.