The long journey for Fayette’s three Teacher of the Year finalists came to an end Thursday night with the naming of the winner.

A pin drop could be heard as all eyes watched Superintendent John DeCotis open the sealed envelope and announce that Kim Fisher of J.C. Booth middle had been selected as the 2008 Fayette County Teacher of the Year.

The other two finalists vying for the award were Ashley Brookshaw of Sara Harp Minter Elementary and JoAnn Rouse of Rising Starr Middle.

“In my 13 years of teaching in this county, I have encountered other teachers who are deserving of this award,” Fisher said as she delivered her acceptance speech.

“This is a significant accomplishment and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, colleagues, students and parents.”

After thanking a long list of teachers and administrators she had met while a student in Fayette County Schools and later as a teacher, Fisher emotionally expressed her gratitude to her students.

“My greatest reward in teaching is the time I spend with you,” she said.

The finalists were selected from among 28 different teachers of the year at each school. A panel of judges made up of community members, retired educators and last year’s TOTY rated the application of each teacher to select the three finalists. The final judging stage consisted of a classroom observation followed by a one-on-one interview with the finalists. Judges individually rated each finalist. Their scores were combined to determine the winner.

As Fayette’s 2008 TOTY, Fisher will represent the county in the Georgia TOTY competition next spring.

Fisher has come full circle with her educational journey, first as a student in Fayette County Schools and now a math teacher at the same school where she was once a student.

In her classroom, students read, write, model and discuss mathematical concepts. She says mathematics becomes a way of reasoning and communicating rather just another academic discipline. Fisher creates an environment where students feel at ease to take risks without the fear of failure.

“Students are welcomed at the door with a smile, patted on the shoulder for reassurance and praised for their best efforts. They are encouraged to ask questions as I approach them on a daily basis,” she explains.

Her greatest reward in teaching is the time she spends with her students. Even after school hours, her students remain a top priority.

“Recently, some parents were surprised when I called after dinner hours to offer tutoring over the phone,” she says.

Fayette’s annual TOTY program honors the county’s 29 teachers of the year from each elementary, middle and high school. The program would not be possible without the generous contributions of local businesses and organizations.

TOTY winners from each school received plaques from the Coca Cola Company recognizing their achievement and a commemorative portrait courtesy of Life Touch Photography. Also, Dell Computer, Inc. donated two desktop computers to the runners up and a laptop to the TOTY. Additionally, the TOTY received a specifically designed ring from Balfour, a $1,000 check from Allan Vigil Ford of Fayetteville and roundtrip airfare for two from Airtran Airlines.

Other top sponsors included Chick-fil-A Towne Center and Starr’s Mill, Chick-fil-A Corporate, Don Jackson Lincoln Mercury, Bank of North Georgia, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Delta Community Credit Union, Southern Federal Credit Union, Super Suppers, United Community Bank, Williamson Eye Center, World Gym, Chick-fil-A Dwarf House, Heritage Bank, The Avenue at Peachtree City, Oak Grove PTO, Southern Community Bank, The Dinner A’Fare, Bia’s, Bugaboo Creek, Sussberg Ventures, Inc., Total Office Products, Tyrone Elementary PTO, Whitewater Middle PTO and numerous other local businesses and organizations.