Clay Education Foundation announced Apple Award finalists for Teacher, School-Related Employees of the Year. The winners will be honored at the Thrasher-Horne Center on Feb. 8 at 6:30.

Edwin Ormeo- TV Production at Oakleaf High School

Mr. Ormeo has helped many students prepare students for post-secondary success through his mentorship, as well as inspiring a true love and passion for photography and videography. Mr. Ormeo took it upon himself to take over the OHS TV Production program this school year, as well as assist with video announcements for the school and district. Mr. Ormeo also serves as the events photographer for the school. Mr. Ormeo treats every student like his own and holds them all to high expectations. He provides a safe space in his classroom where students can learn without fear or retribution. As the leader of his Professional Learning Community (PLC), Mr. Ormeo helps to support a new TV Production teacher at another school in the district while helping the team to develop meaningful projects that highlight the standards of the program. He can often be found in the classroom engaged with students and demonstrating firsthand how to get the perfect shot or how to edit a video on the computer. Mr. Ormeo's unending dedication to Oakleaf High School runs deep as he is not only a teacher here, but an Oakleaf parent of not one, but two OHS graduates.

Lisa Allen- First-grade teacher at Coppergate Schools of the Arts

With her 38 years of experience in education, including her 16 years as a primary grade teacher at Coppergate, Ms. Allen has proven herself as a dedicated and influential educator who has made a lasting impact on both students and the school community. Since opening Coppergate in 2007, Ms. Allen has been an invaluable asset and a pillar of the school community. Her dedication to their success and well-being extends far beyond her time in her classroom. She is a strong advocate for project-based learning and her annual classroom zoo project is a highlight that showcases her creativity, innovation, and commitment to engaging her students in hands-on learning experiences. Ms. Allen was also recognized as the Delta Kappa Gamma - Beta Mu Woman Educator of the Year during the 2022-2023 school year, further attesting to her exceptional contributions to the field of education. 

Regina Bragg- Second-grade teacher at Swimming Pen Creek Elementary

Meeting the needs of students is a top priority for Ms. Bragg.  She is a reflective educator who sets goals for herself, as well as for her students.  Her dedication is evident in the continuous effort she makes to hone her craft by exploring professional development that enhances her skill set.  Ms. Bragg creates a positive and inclusive classroom where all students feel safe enough to take risks and try new things. She begins each year by explaining what it means to be a part of the “Bragg Bunch Family.” Additionally, Ms. Bragg helps make significant contributions to strengthening the climate and culture at Swimming Pen Creek Elementary.  She volunteers to help with fundraising events such as the school’s Chorus dinner and the Bookfair, not to mention working all of the beautification Saturdays. 

Allison Altwater- Fourth-grade teacher at Spring Park Elementary 

Ms. Altwater is a consummate professional educator and expert in her field and she continuously and actively seeks out new teaching strategies and professional development to make herself and her team better. She conducts meetings in the mornings with her students to set the learning intentions of the day and hosts conferences with the entire family to discuss each child’s progress toward their individual and grade-level goals. Ms. Altwater is also a teacher leader on campus and leads Spring Park Elementary’s vertical English Language Arts Professional Learning Community (PLC) and has a strong voice in the School-Based Leadership Team. Alli serves as a model classroom for the school community where other teachers are provided a space to come and learn with her to impact their teaching craft as well. 

Robin Campell- Science teacher at Wilkinson Junior High

Ms. Campbell inspires her students to reach higher and higher levels of achievement, and never sets a limit to how high they can go. Ms. Campbell truly believes that every student can and will achieve higher levels of success when they leave her class from when they entered. Ms. Campbell possesses an innate ability to infuse enthusiasm and curiosity into every scientific concept she introduces. She makes complex subjects accessible, fostering an environment where questions are encouraged and celebrated. Her interactive teaching methods, from captivating experiments to engaging discussions, turn the classroom into a discovery laboratory. Additionally, Ms. Campbell serves as Wilkinson Junior High’s Science department head, and the Science fair coordinator, and is one of their Professional Educator Competency (PEC) mentors.  She often is the first to volunteer for events on campus and even serves as one of the Academic team judges.  Ms. Campbell has her Master's in Educational Leadership and assists in administrative roles throughout the school year as well. 

Rookie Teacher of the Year (this is a new category this year!)

Allison Sanders- EBD Self-Contained Teacher at Keystone Heights Elementary School 

Ms. Sanders began her educational career at Keystone Heights Elementary as a Behavioral Health Assistant. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Education and was hired as an EBD Self-Contained Teacher in December of 2022.  Through collaboration with the school’s Behavior Site Coach, she has helped transform Keystone’s PBS unit. Ms. Sanders has embraced every professional development opportunity and internalizes feedback provided during administrative classroom visits. Her colleagues describe her as, "having a strong work ethic, committed to her students, engaging, adaptable, passionate, creative and dedicated."