Whether they are working with students, teachers, parents or community members, these two dedicated educators have one thing in common: a passion for teaching. Valerie Akins, the principal at Aycock Middle (former principal at Vandalia Elementary) and Carolyn Hiatt, a second-grade teacher at Hunter Elementary, both received the district’s highest honors at the Wachovia “Best in Class Awards.”

Akins, the 2007-08 GCS Principal of the Year and Hiatt, the 2007-08 GCS Teacher of the Year, both won a total of $1,500: $1,000 for winning the overall award and $500 for winning at their grade level. Akins was also named elementary Principal of the Year and Hiatt was named elementary Teacher of the Year.

Akins is a leader who empowers others and leads by example. “My philosophy and vision are only as strong as my ability to model it to my parents and staff,” said Akins. “I must walk the walk and talk the talk.”

Other principals receiving awards include Revonda Johnson from High Point Central High. She received $500 for being the secondary schools winner. The remaining finalists, Darcy Kemp from Morehead Elementary, Dr. Grenita Lathan from Washington Elementary and Pam Misher from Pearce Elementary (former principal at Alderman Elementary) received $300 each.

Like Akins, the newly named Teacher of the Year, Hiatt, is a motivator. “My favorite aspect of teaching is watching a child grow as a learner throughout the year,” said Hiatt. “I love watching a child become interested and motivated to learn independently.”

Other winners in the Teacher of the Year category include: Janice Clark from Aycock Middle who was the middle school winner and Kristal Britton from Dudley High who took home the high school award. Both teachers received $500. Michael Joncas from Summerfield Elementary and George Eckart from The Middle College of Entertainment Technology at GTCC were the remaining finalists and received $300 each.