This year's

finalists are Jan Daniel, social studies teacher at Fayette County High;

Mary Filko, computer teacher at Oak Grove Elementary; and Sonya Farr,

second grade teacher at Peeples Elementary.

Earlier in

the academic year, each school chose its own teacher of the year, who

was invited to submit an application to the county office to vie for the

system-wide title. A panel of judges from the community reviewed and rated

the applications, and the teachers receiving the three highest ratings

were selected to advance to the county competition.

Now that the

finalists have been named, the teachers have to begin preparing for the

next phase of the competition, which involves a classroom visit and one-on-one

interview with the judging panel. The judges will individually rate each

teacher and the one with the highest marks will become Fayette County's

Teacher of the Year April 24 during a special recognition banquet at the

Fayetteville First Baptist Church.

Last year's

county winner was Lucy Wicker, art teacher at Peeples Elementary. She

is currently representing Fayette in the 2003 Georgia Teacher of the Year

competition.