The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation hosted its annual banquet to honor the District 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for both Hall County Schools and Gainesville City Schools on Tuesday.
The banquet recognized the accomplishments of West Hall High School teacher Rubia Castro-Diaz and Mundy Mill Arts Academy teacher Anna Hortman. The Ivester Foundation presented both teachers with $10,000 for their service to their respective districts.
“Teachers of the Year is always a special time for us to just recognize the contributions of those in our school,” Jeremy Williams, Superintendent for Gainesville City Schools said. “But a handful of years ago, when the Ivester Foundation approached Hall County Schools and Gainesville City Schools and talked about elevating that recognition a little bit more, the teacher in me was very excited for our teachers, because at the end of the day, the work often goes unnoticed… today is just the culmination of being able to celebrate the individuals who've been recognized by each school district, but also those that realize the importance that they make in the lives of our kids.”
District Teachers of the Year are selected out of the group of educators within the system who were given the title at their respective schools. Williams said each schools’ Teacher of the Year will also be presented with $500 from the Ivester Foundation.
Castro-Diaz has worked in the Hall County School District for 15 years and currently teaches English as a Second Language, IB Spanish, and AP Spanish.
“I am so honored and blessed to be the teacher of the year, not only for my school but for my entire district,” Castro-Diaz said. “It has been a blast, and I feel like being in the most caring place in the world has made a difference… I love to serve and always teach.”
Hortman teaches 4th grade at Mundy Mills Arts Academy. She shared with AccessWDUN she began her time with the district 10 years ago when she began student teaching in first grade.
“It is such an honor to be able to represent Gainesville City schools,” Hortman said. “...It's a place I can call home. I love serving the children and the families of Gainesville, and it is such an honor and a pleasure to be representing them as the District Teacher of the Year.”
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/12/1276211/ivester-foundation-honors-district-teachers-of-the-year