Georgia Power announces names of 41 new teacher assistance grant recipients

ATLANTA — Georgia Power has announced the names of 41 teachers from across the state who are recipients of the company’s annual $1,000 new teacher assistance grants.

Georgia Power officials said that, since launching the program in 2004, the company has awarded a total of $487,000 in individual grants to more than 487 new teachers from communities across the state. The grants are funded by Georgia Power and are meant to provide the state’s newest teachers with funds to purchase classroom supplies and help start their classroom careers.

“Georgia’s future workforce is learning valuable knowledge in classrooms throughout the state every day, and Georgia Power is committed to assisting teachers along the way,” Joseph Lillyblad, education and workforce manager for Georgia Power, said. “Georgia Power’s new teacher assistance grant program provides educators with the resources needed to continue supporting the success of their students and new teaching career.”

Nominations were submitted by Georgia public colleges and universities that have schools of education. To be eligible for a grant, Georgia Power officials said candidates must be in the top 25 percent of their class, be a first-year teacher employed by a public school in Georgia and demonstrate a high aptitude for teaching.

The nominations are reviewed by a statewide selection committee with grants awarded beginning in November. Officials said grant recipients include Pre-K, elementary, middle and high school teachers who are encouraged to use the funds to purchase items such as books, educational CDs or DVDs, computers, projectors or other supplies to enhance their classrooms.

The recipients represent northwest Georgia, northeast Georgia, southwest Georgia and southeast Georgia. The teachers from southwest Georgia receiving funds are:

— Amanda Lauren Cuff, Dougherty County School System;

— Ashley Denby, Crisp County Schools;

— Shaquille Levonte Zellner, Butts County School System;

— Maxwell Elliott, Butts County School System;

— Jacob David Chesser, Lowndes County Schools;

— Lisa Burns, Lowndes County Schools;

— Carra Glenn, Muscogee County School District;

— Jose Ruiz, Muscogee County School District;

— Georgia Bradley Tucker, Lamar County School System;

— Terica T’Onni Hall, Quitman County School District;

— Nathanael Taylor Westray, Bibb County School District;

— Sharkethia Andria Johnson, Houston County Schools;

— Jordan Adicks, Jones County School System;

— Kooper Faith Grace, Taylor County Schools.

For more information about how the company is helping advance education and build tomorrow’s workforce, visit www.georgiapower.com/education.