teacher of the year

Custodian Carl Young (from left) and healthcare sciences teacher Erin Bunch pose for a photo last September following their recognition as Classified Staff and Teacher of the Year respectively. Bunch said she feels “very appreciative” of her peers to select her to represent the school system as System Teacher of the Year. (Submitted Photo)

Custodian Carl Young (from left) and healthcare sciences teacher Erin Bunch pose for a photo last September following their recognition as Classified Staff and Teacher of the Year respectively. Bunch said she feels “very appreciative” of her peers to select her to represent the school system as System Teacher of the Year. (Submitted Photo)

Twice as nice: Bunch is system teacher of the year for 2nd time

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Erin Bunch always hopes to be a “positive light” to both her co-workers and students, just as they have with her.
Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary School principal Katie Baldwin hugs special education parapro Toni Evans after presenting her with the OCES Classified Employee of the Year award at the board of education meeting in Lexington, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Three of the county's four Classified Employees of the Year were honored at the November Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary School principal Katie Baldwin hugs special education parapro Toni Evans after presenting her with the OCES Classified Employee of the Year award at the board of education meeting in Lexington, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Three of the county's four Classified Employees of the Year were honored at the November Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

BOE approves purchase of three school buses

Caleb Baldwin and Cassidy Hettesheimer
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved buying three new buses and discussed other structural improvements at its Tuesday meeting.
The 2023-2024 teachers of the year (from left): Shonda Cronic, OCPS kindergarten; Lindsay Gregory, OCES gifted third-fifth grade teacher; Janet High, OCMS English teacher; Lee Jones, OCHS band director.

The 2023-2024 teachers of the year (from left): Shonda Cronic, OCPS kindergarten; Lindsay Gregory, OCES gifted third-fifth grade teacher; Janet High, OCMS English teacher; Lee Jones, OCHS band director.

Teachers of the year inspired by students, community

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, October 12, 2023
The Oglethorpe County School System teachers of the year were honored by the Board of Education at its meeting last week. The teachers shared their motivation and inspiration with The Oglethorpe Echo. Comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Penni Stoudenmire smiles in her classroom with one of her Kindergarten students after an in-class activity. Stoudenmire uses hands-on activities like this one to foster an enjoyable and engaging environment for her students. (Submitted Photo)

Penni Stoudenmire smiles in her classroom with one of her Kindergarten students after an in-class activity. Stoudenmire uses hands-on activities like this one to foster an enjoyable and engaging environment for her students. (Submitted Photo)

District teacher of the year: Stoudenmire aims to have positive influence on kids

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Penni Stoudenmire sees her students not merely as pupils, but as “one big family.”   The Oglethorpe County Primary School kindergarten teacher was recently named the district teacher of the year and will represent the district at the state level.