Burgess-Peterson Academy’s Tracey Pendley a Top 10 Finalist for 2020 Georgia Teacher of the Year

Tracey Pendley, 2018-2019 Atlanta Public Schools Districtwide Excellence in Teaching winner, has been named a top 10 finalist for the 2020 Georgia Teacher of the Year program. Pendley is a fourth-grade teacher at Burgess-Peterson Academy.

“We’re very proud of Tracey here at BPA and are excited to have her represent APS and our school community at the state-level competition,” said Principal David White.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods today announced the 10 finalists for 2020 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Woods announced Pendley along with nine other teachers as finalists from a pool of applicants all previously selected as their school district’s Teacher of the Year.

The applications were read by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners, administrators, community leaders and others. The finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.

“The ten 2020 finalists for Georgia Teacher of the Year are an exceptional group of educators and I’m proud to call them my colleagues,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Each one of them exemplifies what a teacher should be – caring, skilled, knowledgeable and intellectually curious, and first and foremost, laser-focused on the well-being, potential and success of their students.”

Finalists met with a panel of judges for a formal interview and gave speeches during a finalist luncheon. The winner will be announced Saturday, May 18, 2019.

The 2020 Georgia Teacher of the Year will travel around the state and the nation, serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession in Georgia. He or she will also be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition.