Thomas County Central High School students in the Future Georgia Educators club have brought home awards from recent region and state competitions.
Region competition was held March 1 at the University of Georgia. State competition was held March 22 in Atlanta.
“We are so proud of the work that our students put into their competitions,” FGE advisor and early childhood education teacher Cindy Carnes said. “They represent our school and profession well.”
Region winners include: Jada Sparrow, first place in speech competition for “FGE Moment” (when she knew she wanted to be a teacher); Taylor Chancey, first place in essay competition for “How Poverty Affects Students”; first place for team Quentorea Addison, Miyah Washington, and Rondesja Mitchell in the knowledge bowl; first place in T-shirt competition to promote FGE and “Georgia Grown Teachers” for team members Michaelah Collier, Aaliyah Fuller, Taylor Chancey, Destiny Myrick, Kimayah Simpson, Zekia Greene, Deantre'Naisha Eason, Tashiana Cutino, and Lilia Graham; and, Georgia Smith, Madison Smith and Courtney Robinson won second place in public service announcement video for “Impact Teachers Have on Students.”
Winner Jada Sparrow said speaking at region gave her “a feeling of accomplishment.”
“It was an honor being selected to read my speech at UGA,” Sparrow said. “Down the road, I hope I will be attending UGA and major in early childhood education and continue speaking, touching the hearts and minds of others through education.”
While at UGA, Carnes said the TCCHS group -- including fellow FGE advisor Amy Smith -- toured the school, went to a college fair, and toured UGA's Early Learning Laboratory School on campus.
“We were able to observe babies and preschoolers in their natural learning environment through two-way mirrors, just as the college students do in their research,” Carnes said.
The students’ achievements at region lead their way to state. Carnes and Smith travelled to Atlanta with the students for the competition. There, they received an unexpected treat.
“We stayed at the Double Tree downtown and they overbooked their rooms,” Carnes said. “So... they asked us if we would move to the penthouse suite with its private balcony with 360 degree panoramic views!”
In addition to the nice stay, members of TCCHS FGE toured Ahava Early Learning Center in Buckhead. Here they were informed about a Reggio-Emillia based school, which focuses on natural materials, lots of natural light, and hands-on experiences.
“What a beautiful school,” Carnes enthused. “Students were able to observe an emergent curriculum (when students decide what and how they want to be taught within certain limits). The preschoolers discuss to see where the curriculum/standards will take them. It was so nice to see a different philosophy of learning in progress. I love exposing our students to many different philosophies of education and learning. They are amazed that every school is not just like theirs.”
At state competition, student teams placed third in the T-shirt competition and third in the knowledge bowl, which includes questions about state teacher code of ethics and teaching curriculum.
“We are proud of placing third in the state knowledge bowl,” member Rondesja Mitchell said. “We knew the criteria and only missed two questions. We were beat with speed because our device had a glitch and was having trouble loading.”
Region and state participant Michaelah Collier is happy her T-shirt team won in both competitions.
“It shows our creativity,” she said.
TCCHS FGE is sponsored by PAGE. The competitions were learning experiences for those students involved. They used the time to further their knowledge on their future careers.
“I had great team members and it was a great learning experience,” Mitchell adds.