Augusta Technical College selects 2023-2024 Adult Education EAGLE Winner and Outstanding Teacher of the Year
Posted on Dec 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM
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For Immediate Release |
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Media Contact | Original Press Release | AugustaCEO Article |
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Kimberly Holden
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Augusta Technical College Selects 2023-2024 Adult Education
EAGLE Winner and Outstanding Teacher of the Year
Augusta, Georgia - December 18, 2023
Augusta Technical College is excited to announce that Ms. Carolyn Thompson has been named the 2023-2024 Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) Winner and Mrs. Penny Kearney has been selected as the 2023-2024 Outstanding Teacher of the Year (OTOY) for the Adult Education Department.
The announcement of Ms. Thompson and Mrs. Kearney as the winners were made after the local competition in the Jack B. Patrick Information Technology Center (ITC) on the Augusta Campus.
The college had four students who competed to become the local EAGLE Delegate.
The nominees were:
- Carolyn Thompson (FY24 EAGLE Delegate) – Nominating Instructor Ms. Charlene Crane
- Rehma Irfan (Runner-Up) - Nominating Instructor Ms. Penny Kearny
- Candice Dameron – Nominating Instructor Ms. Devlynn Taylor
- Bryanne Reeves – Nominating Instructor Mr. Jimmy Bostock
Ms. Thompson successfully completed her GED program and graduated with her GED in June 2023. She is currently enrolled in the Design Media and Production Technology at Augusta Technical College.
"I am so happy to represent Augusta Technical College as an EAGLE nominee. It is a blessing for me to tell my story and show others that it is never too late to give up on their hopes and dreams. I will be forever grateful to the Adult Education Department for believing in me. This whole experience has been a blessing for me, and I look forward to representing Augusta Technical College with the utmost respect.” stated Thompson.
EAGLE is the first statewide program in the nation that recognizes and rewards excellence among students enrolled in adult education programs. This student recognition program is designed to create greater awareness of educational opportunities that are available in local communities across the state and to foster greater involvement in lifelong learning pursuits.
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG,) through its Office of Adult Education (OAE), sponsors the annual EAGLE Leadership Institute. Ms. Thompson will represent Augusta Technical College at the Institute on March 25-27, 2024. The Leadership Institute recognizes and honors those students who have demonstrated superior achievement in adult education classes and programs.
The state winner will carry the title of Technical College System of Georgia EAGLE Winner and will serve as the state’s ambassador for adult education. The winner exemplifies excellence and a commitment to the mission of the Technical College System of Georgia’s Office of Adult Education and makes many public appearances throughout the year, including the TCSG Leadership Conference and the TCSG Board Meeting to name a few. The state winner will also receive a full two-year scholarship to the technical college of his or her choice.
Mrs. Kearney was nominated by her peers at the college to become the Adult Education Outstanding Teacher of the Year. The Adult Education OTOY program is designed to recognize and honor our most outstanding Adult Education teachers who make significant contributions to the
field through instruction, innovation, and leadership. These outstanding teachers participate in school and community activities, they understand the importance of and are committed to the Adult Education profession, and they exemplify excellence. The OTOY has a deep commitment to the mission of the Office of Adult Education (OAE).
"Augusta Technical College is a College of Excellence. I am proud to work at a College that consistently produces high standards and is persistently improving the quality of education in our community. It is an honor to represent Augusta Technical College as the FY24 Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year. I look forward to serving as a liaison for ATC and am excited to continue my teaching
career.” stated Kearney.
Mrs. Kearney has been an educator for 26 years; she taught first and second grade for 21 years and has been an instructor teaching ABE online and in person classes for the past five years. Her passion is teaching student's basic literacy skills. She is married with two daughters and four grandchildren.
"Each year I look forward to working with our EAGLE Delegate! I am extremely proud of Ms. Thompson. She never gave up on her dream to earn her GED and that is something I truly admire. I am excited for Ms. Thompson and the year she has ahead as our EAGLE Delegate. I am also excited that Ms. Penny Kearney has been named this year’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Adult Education. Ms. Kearney has a passion for literacy and helping others. She was selected by her peers to represent our college, and I could not be more proud," stated Angela Moseley,
Dean of Adult Education.
The OAE OTOY Award Winner serves as a professional-level ambassador for Adult Education in Georgia as the TCSG OAE’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year . S/he makes many public appearances (virtual or in-person) throughout the year, including presenting before the TCSG State Board, college presidents, city/state officials, the General Assembly of the State of Georgia and other speaking engagement opportunities in order to promote Adult Education.
In addition to carrying the distinguished title, the recipient will receive a cash award of $2,500.
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About Augusta Technical College
Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public postsecondary institution that provides academic and technical education, customized business and industry training, continuing education, student support, economic development, and adult education services to its service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties) at a competitive financial value. Associate of Science Degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit are provided through traditional and distance delivery methods. For more information, visit augustatech.edu.
- Categories:
- Press Release
- EAGLE Winner
- Adult Education
- Outstanding Teacher of the Year (OTOY)
- AugustaCEO
- 2023-2024
Media Contact
- Kimberly Holden
- Director of Community Engagement & Public Affairs
- kimberly.holden@augustatech.edu
- 706.771.4819