Thumbs Up! April 14, 2014

A unique opportunity is coming to Lee County this summer. Columbus State University will be offering classes to Lee County and surrounding area principals, assistant principals and other educational leaders wishing to advance their careers by earning a Ed.D. in curriculum and leadership. The school system is granting space for the classes at West Middle School. A professor will teach one week and classes will be conducted the next online. Two eight-week classes will be taught consecutively each semester allowing for the required classwork as well as work /instruction on doctoral dissertation completion. Not only will the educators improve their skills but also their market value within the field and students will have the best educators at the head of the class.

Congratulations are once again in order for the Darton State College golf team. The Cavs have taken the Region XVII title for the 13th consecutive year. As a two-year college, the players rotate off and new ones come on. The constant for the school is Dale Dover. The Cavs have not lost a region tournament since 2002 and Dover is perfect as a head coach since taking over the program in 2004.

The Albany Police Department has welcomed 10 new officers to its ranks. Friends and family members joined in the induction ceremony as Chief John Proctor acknowledged family members and was frank about the responsibilities of a police officer. “They are going to miss birthdays and Christmases. There will be nights that they come home having witnessed some rough things that day. They will need you to be their support during those times, to let them know it’s OK. This is a hard job, but these officers are ready to do it, and it’s our pleasure to bring them on board,” Proctor said. Here is wishing all the new officers success and safety as they work to make the streets of Albany a safer place for everyone.

It is not possible to know just how many lives have been changed and/or saved by the work of the devoted volunteers of Birthright of Albany Inc. What is known is that the organization has worked in this community for 40 years offering women an alternative to abortion. Services include support, counseling, referral services and at times, simply someone to listen without judging. Donations from individuals and organizations have kept this program vibrant through the years whether it be of time, money, maternity clothes or basic baby items. Birthright is an international and interdenominational organization and has chapters all across the United States, Canada and Africa. An unplanned pregnancy brings fear, stress, financial and social problems that can seem insurmountable to some women but with the aid and assistance of Birthright, the unexpected expectant mother has the tools to make the best decisions.

Teachers are given the task of molding the future of hundreds of students that pass through their classrooms. From learning to read to appropriate behavior to science to history, much is expected from teachers. Those in the profession see children from every home situation imaginable and must take each child as an individual while at the same time teaching the required materials. Some students arrive at school well-equipped to learn. They are on time, fed, clothed, loved, supported and have backpacks full of supplies. Many, too many, arrive late, hungry, with not so much as a pencil and piece of paper. Teachers are expected to educate and even work miracles at times. The good news is, Dougherty County has a great number of educators that meet those expectations. Eight such teachers have been selected as finalists for the system’s Teacher of the Year and, to that end, are all to be recognized as the best of the best. On Thursday evening one of the eight will be named 2014-15 Teacher of the Year. Those finalists are: Victoria Green Brackins, Sarah Bivins, Sandra Masters, Jennifer Lewis-Polite, Patricia Littleton, Yolanda Bryant, Tracey Wingfield and Martez Favis … superstars, one and all.