Finalists for Colquitt County Teacher of the Year pose for a photo with their awards. From left are Melissa Duke of Odom Elementary; Renee Tucker of Colquitt County High School, who was named the system winner; and Kirsten Saunders of Hamilton Elementary.

Renee Tucker walked away from the vice presidency of a bank to teach school.

Ten years later, that decision was rewarded when Tucker was named Teacher of the Year for the Colquitt County School System.

“I felt called to teach,” Tucker told her colleagues who had gathered at a reception Thursday. “God told me I had to go back to school.”

The teachers of the year from each of the schools in Colquitt County — a total of 15 — sat upon the stage at C.A. Gray Junior High School as School Superintendent Samuel DePaul read their accomplishments and philosophies, compiled from their individual applications.

Then three finalists were announced. In addition to Tucker, a math teacher at Colquitt County High School, the finalists were Kirsten Saunders of Hamilton Elementary and Melissa Duke of Odom Elementary.

After applause for the finalists died down, DePaul announced Tucker as the winner.

All 15 school teachers of the year will receive $200 for their accomplishment. Each finalist will receive an additional $200, and the winner $200 on top of that for a total of $600. In addition, Commercial Banking Company — where Tucker served as vice president when she first came to Moultrie — presented her with a check for $500, and Jostens will make a ring for her to commemorate being Colquitt County’s Teacher of the Year.

The full list of school teachers of the year includes:

David Griner of Colquitt County Achievement Center

Griner teaches social studies at Colquitt County Achievement Center. He received his bachelor’s degree in business management from Valdosta State University and his teaching certificate in middle grades math, social studies and language arts from Brewton Parker College. Griner has also completed his gifted endorsement and is in his 19th year of teaching. This is his second time being named a Teacher of the Year.

Renee Tucker of Colquitt County High School

Tucker teaches math at Colquitt County High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in finance from Mercer University and her teaching certificate in mathematics education from Thomas University. She has also earned additional gifted certification. This is her tenth year of teaching.

Nan Tillman of Cox Elementary School

Tillman is in her seventh year of teaching and currently teaches second grade at Cox Elementary. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the Brewton Parker College and will begin her master’s degree in January.

Melonie Saunders of Doerun Elementary School

Saunders, a fourth grade teacher at Doerun Elementary, is in her seventh year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Brewton Parker University. She earned her master’s degree in reading and curriculum instruction from Grand Canyon University and is presently working on her gifted endorsement. This is Saunders’ second time being named a Teacher of the Year.

Christy Beck of Funston Elementary School

A Funston Elementary third grade teacher, Beck is currently in her 11th year of teaching. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Georgia Southwestern State University.

Stacie Dunn of C.A. Gray Junior High School

Dunn is in her sixth year of teaching and currently teaches mathematics at C.A. Gray Junior High. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and master’s degree in education from Thomas University. In addition, she is currently pursuing her specialist degree in curriculum and instruction at Valdosta State University. She has also completed her gifted certification.

Ginny Neal of GEAR Gifted Center

Neal is a gifted teacher at the G.E.A.R. Gifted Center and is in her 33rd year in education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in art education from Georgia College and her gifted certification from Valdosta State. This is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year.

Kirsten Saunders of Hamilton Elementary School

Saunders is a fifth grade teacher at Hamilton Elementary and is in her 29th year in education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in middle grades education from Georgia Southern University. She went on to receive her master’s and specialist’s degrees from Valdosta State University, also in middle grades education. Saunders is currently working towards her gifted certification. This is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year.

Josie Robinson of Norman Park Elementary School

Robinson, a Norman Park Elementary first grade teacher, is in her 23rd year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Valdosta State College. She has also received her math endorsement. This is her third time being named at Teacher of the Year.  

Melissa Duke of Odom Elementary School

Duke, Odom Elementary’s ESOL teacher, is currently in her 14th year of teaching. She received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Brewton Parker College and her master’s degree in early childhood education and specialist’s degree in learning and leading from Georgia Southwestern State University. Duke also received her ESOL endorsement. This is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year.

Ann Smith of Okapilco Elementary School

Smith is a third grade teacher at Okapilco Elementary and is in her 21st year of teaching. She completed her bachelor’s in early childhood education from Valdosta State College and her master’s in teaching from Grand Canyon University. She has also received her math endorsement.

Martha Belcher of Stringfellow Elementary School

Belcher teaches first grade at Stringfellow Elementary and is in her 22nd year of teaching. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business education from Valdosta State University. She earned her early childhood teaching certificate from Valdosta State University and her master’s degree in elementary reading and literacy from Walden University. This is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year.

Amy Davis of Sunset Elementary School

A Sunset Elementary health/physical education teacher, Davis is in her 26th year of teaching. she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health/physical education from Valdosta State University. This is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year.

Ginger Hunnicutt of Willie J. Williams Middle School

Hunnicutt is in her 22nd year as a teacher and currently teaches family and consumer science at Willie J. Williams Middle. She received her bachelor’s in family and consumer science from Georgia Southern University.

Christa Bledsoe of R.B. Wright Elementary School

Bledsoe, a third grade teacher at R. B. Wright Elementary, is in her 19th year of teaching. She earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist’s degrees in early childhood education from Valdosta State University. She has also completed her reading and gifted endorsements. This is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year.