Thirty-one teachers of gifted and talented students from 13 schools were honored Sept. 15, 2021 as recipients of the Houston County Education Assistance Fund on behalf of Dr. and Mrs. Manoj Shah. Each teacher was presented $500 and a certificate in recognition of their enthusiasm, devotion and effectiveness in honors and advanced placement programs.
The honorees are listed below by school.
« Houston County High School ~ Jennifer Bowers, Don Jenrette, and Katherine Wyatt
« Northside High School ~ Sidney Littlefield, Daniel Smith, Carita Walker
« Perry High School ~ Angie Barajas, Nathan Dooley, and Tiffany Frank
« Veterans High School ~ Jennifer Douglass, David Shepherd, and Laura Stimus
« Warner Robins High School ~ Felicia Hackney, Candace Henderson, and Crystal Martin
« Bonaire Middle School ~ Marla Hutchens and Stephanie Wilson
« Feagin Mill Middle School ~ Matthew Hunt and Michael Pinto
« Huntington Middle School ~Graham Dykes and Shikesha Thornton
« Mossy Creek Middle School ~ Suzanne Ganas and Angela McConnell
« Northside Middle School ~ Valarie Allen and Alec Brown
« Perry Middle School ~ Erica Mizell and Mike Paalz
« Thomson Middle School ~ Kevin Holt and Kristi Parsons
« Warner Robins Middle School ~ Aimee Bagwell and Melanie Mann
Since 2001, the Shah family has recognized high school advanced placement and honors teachers with a cash award and a reception held in their honor. Dr. and Mrs. Shah initiated this gift because they were pleased with the education their three children received while enrolled in Houston County schools, to include graduation from Warner Robins High School. They created the fund to support teachers who nurture and encourage innovation, creativity and student passion. The award began with Warner Robins High School and over time was extended to all five high schools. In 2016, the Shah family expanded their gift to include Houston County’s eight middle schools.
The gifted and talented education program in Houston County offers motivated students unique opportunities to further their education. From the sciences to the humanities, dedicated teachers have been paramount in the success of these advanced classes.
“This annual award supports our phenomenal teachers and the work they are doing in their classrooms,” said Olethia Thomas, Director of Gifted Education, Advanced Placement, and Fine Arts. ““We are extremely grateful to the Shah family for their continued support of gifted and talented education.”
