Thomas County Middle School (TCMS) has recently named Amanda West, sixth grade MERIT social studies teacher, as its 2018-19 Teacher of the Year. West has taught sixth grade social studies at TCMS since 2004. “Mrs.West is well deserving of the accolade of Teacher of the Year. She is a diligent and gifted teacher who works to ensure that her students succeed in the classroom,” said Thomas County Middle School Principal Jamie Thompson. “Mrs. West is a leader at Thomas County Middle School and in the community. She works to educate students on the benefits of service and giving, both in the school and community in which they reside.”
West graduated from Thomas University in 2003 with a B.S. in Secondary Education and has since earned a Masters in Social Science from NOVA University. She is currently working towards her Ed Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Valdosta State University. West began her fifteen year tenure teaching sixth-grade social studies at Thomas County Middle School the year after graduating from Thomas University. Although she still teaches sixth-grade social studies at TCMS, she has added to that role and now claims additional titles of Social Studies Department Chair and Regional Coordinator for National History Day. “Mrs. West is a great representative of excellence at Thomas County Middle School,” says Jamie Thompson.
West is an alumni of Thomas County Central High School and states that she was inspired “by the many teachers and coaches who poured confidence into me. From the softball field to my academic classes, I had the best experiences while learning more about academics, but how to be a successful community member. I wanted to be that for students and felt that teaching was the best way to accomplish those goals.” West further stated that she wants to help students reach their fullest potential and loves being able to show students the world outside of the classroom. She states that her best days in the classroom are when students who may have struggled with a concept finally have it to click. She says that when students work hard in an area that they don’t naturally feel confident and then conquer their challenge is the best feeling ever!
Outside of school, West says that she and her husband, Robbie, have two girls who keep them on their toes, and they stay busy keeping up with their many extracurricular activities. “A lot of my time is dedicated to completing my dissertation and advocacy for students with dyslexia,” states West. In 2017, West and another mother of a child with dyslexia in Grady County, began Dyslexia Network of Southwest Georgia to help educate and provide local resources to families of children with dyslexia. The network serves to educate families, provide support, and work on legislation for dyslexia education. In fact, State Bill 48 recently passed in the Senate and is awaiting approval from the House. This bill mandates that all students must be tested for dyslexia before second grade, that families and school systems be provided with a dyslexia handbook along with a definition of dyslexia, and that dyslexia awareness will be increased at the university level for pre-service teachers.
When asked what it meant to be named TCMS Teacher of the Year, she responded, “I am so excited about representing Thomas County Middle School. I have the best team to work with and love how we are family, not just coworkers. Every year of my career, I have worked with amazing people and have built lifelong friendships. To represent them is an honor.”
Pictured below from left to right is Assistant Principal Todd Creech, Instructional Coach Debbie Lasseter, Assistant Principal Deann Garcia, Brennan West, 2018-19 TCMS Teacher of the Year Amanda West, Robbie West, Payton West, and TCMS Principal Jamie Thompson.
