Tanishia Barnhart is Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School’s 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year.

Barnhart was selected through nominations from her teacher colleagues as well as through an interview process with past Teachers of the Year at the school.  Barnhart was honored by her selection.

“Classroom teachers work in our own ‘silos’ focused on the needs of our students and our own classrooms, so to be received and noticed by my fellow teachers is humbling and makes me feel honored,” said Barnhart.

Kylene VanHeiningen, previous Teacher of the Year, views Barnhart as a role model for other colleagues.

“Her quiet and respectful disposition earns the respect of her students and all those who are around her,” said VanHeiningen.  

Principal Amy Tyson describes Barnhart as a passionate teacher who comes to work each day to make a difference in the lives of her students.

“All of our students come to school with different learning styles and different needs. Ms. Barnhart identifies each need very quickly and works hard to make sure that need is met for her students. Her patience is one of her highest qualities and it is visible each and every day,” said Tyson.

Barnhart considers the whole child when she plans ways to increase student achievement.

Audrey Harper, previous Teacher of the Year noticed how Barnhart spends a lot of time on building her students’ confidence.

“The activities that she chooses to complete with the kids are planned out with the students she has at that time,” Harper said. “She plans for what they need academically, emotionally, and socially.”  

Barnhart strives to involve the students’ families in their children’s education by inquiring about what students do outside of school to reinforce the home and school link and to build relationships that lead to better learning.

“I invite families into the education of their children by communicating with parents through the sharing of pictures and videos of classroom activities,” said Barnhart.

Harper also acknowledged Barnhart’s experience in teaching in a variety of different classroom settings as well as involvement in different groups geared toward students' academic success and to improve her school.

“She is very positive and encouraging. You can talk to her briefly and know in an instant she absolutely loves teaching,” Harper added.

Tyson added that Barnhart does an outstanding job communicating and collaborating with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success while demonstrating leadership skills in and outside of the classroom.

“She goes above and beyond the regular duties of a teacher to make an impact on the lives of her students,” said Tyson.

Barnhart sees her job as a special privilege and said, “To teach is to touch a life forever.”

Barnhart is a first grade teacher in an inclusion classroom in her fifth year in Thomas County Schools after 11 years in Jefferson County Schools where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2012.  She has taught kindergarten, first, second, and fifth all subjects as well as fifth-sixth grade self-contained departmentalized mathematics and has held positions as Academic Instructional Coach (Math) and Multi-Tiered System of Support District Coordinator.  

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Master of Science in Psychology from Florida A&M University. She recently completed an additional Master of Education in Educational Leadership at Valdosta State University. She is the mother of two sons and describes being a mother to them as truly her heart’s joy.

“I strive daily to provide them, as well as my students, with tools that will equip them in their quest for self-discovery,” Barnhart said.

Caption:  Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School Assistant Principal Robin Binion, Teacher of the Year Tanishia Barnhart, Principal Amy Tyson, and Jayce Harris celebrate the announcement of Barnhart's recent award.  Barnhart will be among the teachers from whom Thomas County Schools will select its district-level 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year.