In surprise classroom visits, Muscogee County Teacher of the Year finalists are announced

Mark Rice
·3 min read

The 2024 Teacher of the Year in the Muscogee County School District will be one of these three finalists:

  • Christie Akers, Northside High School, English

  • Nicole Hodge, Britt David Magnet Academy, first grade

  • Stacey McClary, Wynnton Arts Academy, English language arts.

The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, which conducts MCSD’s Teacher of the Year program, announced the news Thursday in surprise visits to the finalists’ classrooms.

After MCSD superintendent David Lewis presented each finalist with a cake to share with their students, the Ledger-Enquirer interviewed the teachers between their pauses for photos and hugs.

Christie Akers

What this honor means to her: “It is truly the honor of a lifetime,” said Akers, in her 18th year teaching. “I am so honored to be the teacher of my students and to represent Northside. It’s nothing I ever expected, and I’m grateful.

Christie Akers
Christie Akers

Why she teaches: “I believe a teacher matters,” Akers said. “It matters to the lives of our young people. If you get the right teacher and you build that relationship, we can open doors for them and make them believe in themselves.”

Nicole Hodge

What this honor means to her: “I’m just really shocked right now,” said Hodge, in her fifth year teaching. “It means a lot.”

Nicole Hodge
Nicole Hodge

Why she teaches: “I just love what I do,” Hodge said. “When I wake up, I just love getting to work with my students every day.”

Stacey McClary

What this honor means to her: “I’m overwhelmed,” said McClary, in her 25th year teaching. “I’m humbled and appreciated. It just makes me know that my work is noticed.”

Stacey McClary
Stacey McClary

Why she teaches: “These babies,” McClary said. “These babies make me do what I do — making an impact, leaving an imprint and letting them know that it’s not just about today; it’s about their future, what they can be.”

Why they are the finalists

MEEF chairman Josh Reynolds explained why those teachers were selected as the finalists.

“The dedication and drive of these exceptional teachers is truly astounding,” he said in a news release. “For them, it isn’t simply a job; it’s a calling. They go to extraordinary lengths to engage and educate their students. Their enthusiasm for teaching, their profound care for their students, and their mutual regard for their peers are truly motivating.”

The other semifinalists were:

  • Michelle Atcheson, Fort Middle School, English language arts

  • Katie Buckley, Blanchard Elementary School, music

  • Annette Gebhardt, Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts, social studies

  • Lisa Mills, Columbus High School, English

  • Robyn Robinson, Davis Elementary School, fifth grade

  • Brent Sutherland, Dimon Magnet Academy, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)

  • Suzanne Tabor, North Columbus Elementary School, fourth grade.

The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation selected these 10 semifinalists to compete for the Muscogee County School District Teacher of the Year award.
The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation selected these 10 semifinalists to compete for the Muscogee County School District Teacher of the Year award.

They were selected from the applications of the 55 nominees, who were designated by their school’s staff. The candidates were announced in January during a ceremony in Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

MEEF’s selection committee, comprising Columbus business and education leaders, read the nominee applications to choose 10 semifinalists to interview. The finalists were chosen after those interviews. Committee members will observe the finalists teaching in their classrooms to determine the Teacher of the Year.

The winner will be announced during the foundation’s annual gala, May 9 in the Columbus Convention & Trade Center. More than 1,200 folks are expected to attend the sold-out event.

Christie Akers of Northside High School reacts after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for Muscogee County School District’s Teacher of the Year award.
Christie Akers of Northside High School reacts after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for Muscogee County School District’s Teacher of the Year award.
Nicole Hodge of Britt David Magnet Academy reacts after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for Muscogee County School District’s Teacher of the Year award.
Nicole Hodge of Britt David Magnet Academy reacts after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for Muscogee County School District’s Teacher of the Year award.
Stacey McClary of the Wynnton Arts Academy poses with Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation board members and Muscogee County School District staff members after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for MCSD’s Teacher of the Year award.
Stacey McClary of the Wynnton Arts Academy poses with Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation board members and Muscogee County School District staff members after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for MCSD’s Teacher of the Year award.
Christie Akers, left, of Northside High School is congratulated by Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation board members and Muscogee County School District staff members after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is one of the three finalists for the MCSD Teacher of the Year award.
Christie Akers, left, of Northside High School is congratulated by Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation board members and Muscogee County School District staff members after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is one of the three finalists for the MCSD Teacher of the Year award.
Muscogee County School District superintendent David Lewis surprises Nicole Hodge of Britt David Magnet Academy in her classroom March 14, 2024, with a cake celebrating the announcement that she is among the three finalists for MCSD’s Teacher of the Year award.
Muscogee County School District superintendent David Lewis surprises Nicole Hodge of Britt David Magnet Academy in her classroom March 14, 2024, with a cake celebrating the announcement that she is among the three finalists for MCSD’s Teacher of the Year award.
Stacey McClary of the Wynnton Arts Academy hugs one of her students after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for Muscogee County School District’s Teacher of the Year award.
Stacey McClary of the Wynnton Arts Academy hugs one of her students after she was surprised in her classroom March 14, 2024, with the announcement that she is among the three finalists for Muscogee County School District’s Teacher of the Year award.

Muscogee County Teacher of the Year selection committee

The MCSD Teacher of the Year selection committee members are:

  • Josh Reynolds (chairman), TSYS/Global Payments

  • Vanessa Ellis, 2022 MCSD Teacher of the Year

  • Michael Graydon, Synovus

  • Sheryl Green, 2015 MCSD Teacher of the Year

  • Ken Henson, attorney and real estate developer

  • John Dale Hester, Columbus United

  • Marquette McKnight, MEEF executive director

  • Gina Smith, Keller Williams

  • Ty Webb, W.C. Bradley Company.

MEEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering educational excellence and honoring teachers who are innovative and exceptionally effective in the public schools of Columbus. In its 28-year history, the foundation has awarded approximately $3.2 million to such educators through the Teacher of the Year, Harvard Fellows and Buntin Scholars programs, as well as grants.