The Fayette Daybreak Rotary Club had the privilege of honoring the Tyrone Teachers of the Year during a ceremony at the club’s regular Thursday morning meeting on Feb. 7. This distinction has special meaning as it was bestowed upon the teachers by their fellow teachers in each school.

Tyrone Elementary Teacher of the Year, Kate Matthews, started at the school as a third grade teacher and is now the Technology teacher. Not only does Matthews teach students the basics of computers and the Internet, but her fellow teachers rely on her exceptional skill with computers and her great disposition to help them navigate the technology world at the school. Matthews was introduced by school Principal Eddie Pollard who commented on how extraordinary it was for a technology teacher to win this honor. Yet another testament to her skill and service above self attitude.

At Robert J. Burch Elementary, Principal Linda Kipa called Teacher of the Year Kim Watson a “natural.” Watson is in her third year at the school and teaches second grade. She not only excels as a teacher but was instrumental in the success of the school's Relay For Life this year. Watson spent hundreds of hours of her personal time to recruit students and teachers while organizing the event for the school.

Flat Rock Middle School teachers recognized Matt Foley as their Teacher of The Year. Foley is in his third year at Flat Rock Middle School and has been instrumental in organizing the 5k Great Pumpkin Race, he coaches 7th grade basketball and was quick to step up to coach the 8th grade basketball team when their coach was temporarily sidelined. Principal Oatha Mann commended Foley as a man "who takes his craft seriously."

Jeffrey Dykes was voted the Teacher of the Year at Sandy Creek High School. Dykes is the graphic arts teacher. According to Principal Roy Rabold, Dykes has made dramatic improvements to the curriculum of graphic arts. While continuing the basics of printing, he has added focus on newer aspects of technology and graphic design. To his credit, Dykes’s students are now winning graphic design competitions at the regional and state level. “These students are preparing for life after school,” stated Rabold.

Each teacher was awarded a $50 Staples gift certificate from The Fayette Daybreak Rotary Club as well as a gift bag with items donated by Staples of Peachtree City, The Bank of North Georgia, Stallings Frame & Plaque Shop, Neighborhood Community Bank and United Community Bank.

Too often the most important people in our society, those who protect us and teach our children, are not recognized. The teachers honored this day and their fellow teachers, administrators and support staff love their craft, their students and their schools. The citizens of Tyrone are privileged to have civil servants of this caliber.

In addition to providing recognition for public servants in the schools, police force, fire department, and town staff, the Fayette Daybreak Rotary Club supports a variety of local, national and international charities including the Fayette Care Clinic, Rainbow House, Promise Place and Alzheimer research. The club meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at the Original Pancake House in the Staples shopping center at the intersection of Ga. highways 74 and 54 in Peachtree City. Visitors are always welcome.

For more information on the Fayette Daybreak Rotary Club and Rotary International, visit their website at www.fayettedaybreak.org.