A personal tragedy made her want to make a difference in the lives of young people so she decided to become a teacher. She says that she didn’t find teaching, it found her and now the education profession has given Shelly McLemore, a science teacher at Flat Rock Middle, its highest honor as Fayette’s 2006 Teacher of the Year.

After hearing her name read by Superintendent John DeCotis, a teary eyed and emotional McLemore made her way to the podium to accept her honor Thursday night in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, the site of this year’s ceremony.

“It is through life’s unpredictable events that have led me to this honor. I became a teacher seven years ago and it is a decision of which I am most proud. I wanted to make a difference for young people and I am confident I have done that, “ says McLemore at the beginning of her speech.

McLemore was still in shock after learning she had been selected as the winner.

“I really didn’t think it was going to be me. I still can’t believe it’s me. Even when my name was called, I was just in shock. The other two finalists are so wonderful. I really thought that it would be one of them. I’m shocked and humbled by all of this,” she says.

McLemore was one of three finalists vying for the coveted honor. The other finalists were Robin Daniels, a hearing impaired teacher from Peeples Elementary and Susan King, a social studies teacher at Starr’s Mill High.

The finalists were selected from among the 28 different teachers of the year at each school. A panel of judges made up of community members, last year’s teacher of the year, Dawn Burnette of McIntosh High, and retired educators rated the application of each teacher of the year 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.

McLemore thanked her Flat Rock family, the school system and her mother for molding her into the teacher she has become, but her students were the ones she credited the most for her success.

“They have taught me that diversity is the most valuable component of any classroom, but most importantly, they have taught me that when I’m teaching I’m at my best,” she says.

McLemore has worked in Fayette for six years as a science teacher at Flat Rock. Unlike many teachers, McLemore did not always want to be a teacher but she says she did love school. As a youngster and adolescent she found solace in school because it was a refuge from her unstable home life.

“My school and my teachers were always the one thing I could count on, the one right thing in my life,” says McLemore.

Due to lack of money for college, McLemore graduated high school and went straight into the workforce as a bank teller. It wasn’t until the death of her younger sister that she realized she wanted to do something to make a difference in people’s lives.

“My sixteen year old sister committed suicide. I know that it was this tragedy that led me to where I am today,” she says. “I wanted to make a difference in the world, and maybe because no one had done so for my sister, I especially wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people.”

At the age of 30, McLemore graduated college and began teaching sixth grade science. She says she strives to develop trust and respect from her students because when trust and respect exists, her students are willing to open their minds to her and the real learning begins. McLemore also integrates art into her classroom in an effort to reach students at all academic levels. She uses a variety of art modalities including poetry, drama and music.

“I work very hard to grab my students’ attention and not let go. Sometimes this means beginning the lesson with a song or blindfolding students to have them experience a lesson using only sound and touch,” she says. “I guess one might say I have the gift of creativity. My willingness to try new things and expand my creativity has a wonderful effect on my students. It gives them the courage to do the same.”

As Fayette’s 2006 TOTY, McLemore will represent the county in the Georgia TOTY competition next spring.
Fayette’s annual TOTY program honors the county’s 28 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 receive plaques from the Coca Cola Company recognizing their achievement. Also, Dell Computer, Inc. donates two desktop computers to the runners up and a laptop to the TOTY. Additionally, the TOTY receives a specially designed ring from Balfour and a $2,000 check from Allan Vigil Ford of Fayetteville.

Other top sponsors include Chick-fil-A Town Center, Don Jackson Lincoln Mercury, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, World’s Gym, Chick-fil-A Dwarf House, Heritage Bank, J&R Clothing, Southern Community Bank, Tyrone Elementary PTO, Tyrone Eyecare, Whitewater Middle PTO and numerous other local business and organizations.

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