TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALIST: Sherwood’s Lydia Zuern focuses on the growth of each student

ALBANY — Sherwood Acres English Language Arts teacher Lydia Zuern, one of eight finalists for Dougherty County’s 2017-18 Teacher of the Year, knew she wanted to be a teacher by the time she finished elementary school.

Getting into her own classroom, however, was a matter of sheer determination.

“I would say the greatest influence that led me to teaching would be the number of struggles I went through socially and academically in grade school. I hardly passed math each year, and this was with extra assistance and tutoring,” Zuern said. “I felt as if I was dumb and stupid and would never make it to middle school.”

She argued with her parents on weekday mornings when they tried to get her out of the car and into school. “I was often bullied my first few years by my peers and absolutely hated going to school,” Zuern said.

So, what compelled her to relive those memories daily when teaching in her own classroom?

“My answer is, I am not. I am making a difference,” she said. “Through these experiences, I allow my teaching to show the love and kindness I yearned for during my younger years. I do not relive those memories because I do not allow bullying or any child to feel ‘dumb’ in my classroom. This does not mean all students are passing my classes. However, with positive reinforcement constantly being given along with strategies in students’ needs, there is growth for all children in my classroom.

“Through having these past experiences at a younger age, I feel as though I connect mostly with students who are struggling to me grade requirements. This would have to be my greatest contribution to education.”

Zuern’s focus is on the growth of every student.

“My greatest accomplishment has been to ensure success for all of my students, not just the ones who come to me prepared with prior knowledge,” she said. “This success also includes the one who come to me with nothing but a broken heart, behavior problems, failing grades or frustrations.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Valdosta State University in 2013.

The 2017-18 Teacher of the Year Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn on Front Street. The system also will recognize its retiring educators at the event.

In addition to Zuern, the finalists are Jacqueline Floyd, Westover High School; Jasamine Dixon, Albany Middle School; Chevonne Denson, Dougherty High School; Torre’ Mills, Monroe High School; Rebecca Strickland, Lake Park Elementary School; Jordan Waller, Martin Luther King Elementary; and Shane Williams, Lincoln Elementary Magnet School.