Colquitt County’s Teacher of the Year finalists were, from left, Stacey Beacham of Colquitt County High, Ashley Pitts of Doerun Elementary and Beth Miller of GEAR. Pitts won the overall award.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — A third grade teacher in her 12th year of teaching will represent the Colquitt County School System as its Teacher of the Year.

Ashley Pitts of Doerun Elementary School received the honor at a reception Thursday afternoon at Colquitt County High School. She will now go on to compete for the state Teacher of the Year title.

Along with Pitts, the finalists for the system award were Stacey Beacham of Colquitt County High School and Beth Miller from the GEAR Gifted Center. They led the field of Teacher of the Year nominees from each of the system’s 15 schools.

Pitts received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Valdosta State University. She has also received the gifted endorsement as well as her School-Wide Information System certification.

A very excited Pitts spoke about big moment.

“I would like to thank my school for believing in me and nominating me,” she said. “There is no way I could have sustained this job for 12 years without Jesus Christ my savior, my family and my principal behind me. I just wanted to say thank you, I try to do what the Lord has led me to do, which is be there for kids.”

Her principal Chuck Jones was just as excited when asked about Pitts and the way she connects with the children and the way she conducts herself.

“Mrs. Pitts has so many outstanding qualities as a teacher that cause her to shine,” Jones said. “Her most outstanding quality — the catalyst that truly motivates her and allows her to do all the other great things she does as a teacher — is her ability to build a loving relationship with every student she teaches.”

This is Pitts’ first teacher of the year win.

Other nominees were:

• Cassie Carter of Colquitt County Achievement Center.

• Carissa McKinney of Cox Elementary School.

• Ja’Net Smith of Funston Elementary School.

• Felicia Richardson of C.A Gray Junior High.

• Lori Linnenkohl of Hamilton Elementary.

• Ashely Yarbrough of Norman Park Elementary.

• Chrissi Hall of J.M Odom Elementary .

• Ava Stone of Okapilco Elementary.

• Cheryl Willis of Stringfellow Elementary .

• Myra Gant of Sunset Elementary.

• Joy Carnes of W.J. Williams Middle.

• Donna Horne of R.B. Wright Elementary.

In addition to the prestige of being named Teacher of the Year at their school, each nominee will receive a $200 bonus. The finalists will receive an additional $200, and the winner will receive $200 beyond that for a total bonus of $600.

Special presentations were also made by Randy Kelly of Commercial Banking Company and Scott Jernigan of Jostens.