PICKENS COUNTY — A Pickens Middle School teacher has been named the winner of the School District of Pickens County’s first Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year award.

Anna Bross, a sixth-grade English teacher at Pickens Middle, was given the honor.

“We wanted to send a strong message to our first year teachers that our district recognizes and rewards excellence,” said Danny Rogers, SDPC’s coordinator of Personnel Services. “Teachers like Ms. Bross are our future.”

Candidates were nominated by an administrator or a mentor based on a number of criteria including job performance, attendance, motivation, classroom management, and openness to improvement. The nominees were narrowed down to four finalists.

In addition to Bross they were:

• Dr. Steven Jackson, seventh-grade science teacher at Gettys Middle School (runner-up)

• Caroline Anderson, third-grade teacher at West End Elementary

• Kayla Wells, first-grade teacher at Ambler Elementary

In addition to the award, the winner and finalists were given a cash prize, sponsored by Jeffery Lindsey of Horace Mann Insurance. The winner was given $500, the runner-up was awarded $250, and the two other finalists each received $125.

The district will also sponsor a day of professional development for the winner and finalists at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta in the fall.

From the left are Anna Bross, Dr. Steven Jackson, Kayla Wells, Caroline Anderson and Dr. Danny Merck. Bross was awarded the inaugural Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year, Jackson was the runner up and Anderson and Wells were finalists.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_sdpcoutstandingteachers02.jpgFrom the left are Anna Bross, Dr. Steven Jackson, Kayla Wells, Caroline Anderson and Dr. Danny Merck. Bross was awarded the inaugural Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year, Jackson was the runner up and Anderson and Wells were finalists. Courtesy photos

Anna Bross, right, was named the winner of the School District of Pickens County’s first Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year award. At left is Dr. Danny Merck, SDPC superintendent. Bross is a sixth-grade English teacher at Pickens Middle School.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_sdpcoutstandingteachers01.jpgAnna Bross, right, was named the winner of the School District of Pickens County’s first Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year award. At left is Dr. Danny Merck, SDPC superintendent. Bross is a sixth-grade English teacher at Pickens Middle School. Courtesy photos

Staff Report