Great American Teacher Awards 2010

 The Stars Shine to Salute Great American Teachers!

The Great American Teacher Awards captivated the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre by showcasing the best and the brightest in education on November 19, 2010.  The Ron Clark Academy, in partnership with the Great American Financial Resources, Inc., presented the event that featured the top five teachers from across the country.  Hosted by Ron Clark and Kim Bearden, Co-Founders of the Ron Clark Academy, the awards gala was a night of honoring fortitude, passion and purpose in the classroom.  As the doors opened, the stars stepped out on the red carpet, greeted by the sounds of the Ron Clark Academy students singing, dancing and expressing their appreciation to their dedication to education.  

The hour-long awards gala, which was broadcast live to millions of viewers via public television stations across the country, profiled the top five master educators who believe in creativity and innovation in the classroom; however, at the end of the evening only one would be named the Great American Teacher of the Year.  This year’s winner brings ingenuity and passion into the classroom. Genein Letford, is an elementary music teacher from California who believes that every child, despite socioeconomic status, deserves a quality education that includes the arts.  During her acceptance speech, Letford energetically expressed the importance of education being the responsibility of us all, not just teachers or administrators.

  “This is an amazing honor; I feel so blessed to receive it,” remarked Letford regarding her recognition and achievement.  “All of the finalists were exemplary teachers who bring creativity and excitement to the classroom; to be considered among them is a great honor."  The four other finalists were Suzanne Michelle Evans of Eden, Utah; Randy Wormald of Salisbury, New Hampshire; Amy Dunaway-Haney of Kettering, Ohio; and Tamica Stubbs of Charlotte, North Carolina.

This year, there was a special honor given to celebrity Tony Danza for his efforts as a high school English teacher in Philadelphia.  His experience in the classroom has been chronicled in the reality television show Teach: Tony Danza on A&E.   Danza was honored with the first ever Great American Teacher Awards Champion of Education. 

“I don’t deserve this type of recognition,” said Danza.  “People who do it year in and year out.  I applaud you.” 

The program ended with the world class students from the Ron Clark Academy singing the song “Just the Way You Are” to showcase the talents, commitment and passion of each nominee.  The finalists who were recognized during the Great American Teacher Awards received an all expense paid weekend in Atlanta, a $1,000 gift from Great American Financial Resources, and a set of Promethean Activexpression to use in his/her classroom.  The winner of the Great American Teacher Awards receives a cash gift totaling $15,000 from Great American Financial Resources - $10,000 for personal use and $5,000 for her school, a Promethean Active classroom, and a complete Audio Enhancement System.