MOULTRIE — Every year the Colquitt County School District recognizes its most important assets — its teachers. This year, it was Felicia Richardson who was named District Teacher of the Year on Tuesday night at a ceremony in Withers Auditorium.

“Recognizing the outstanding teachers we have in the Colquitt County School District is a tremendous honor,” said Mary Beth Watson, Colquitt County Board of Education chairman, at the opening of the ceremony. “The success of our school district is in great part due to the dedication that each of them put forth in making a difference in the lives of the students in Colquitt County. Thank you, teachers, for all you do inside and outside the classroom.”

Richardson is a ninth grade English teacher at C.A. Gray Junior High School and this is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year for the school.

“I am truly honored and so very humbled to have been chosen as C.A. Gray’s Teacher of the Year. It is such a privilege to have been nominated by my coworkers, whom I believe are truly some of the most incredible, determined, and selfless people in education. I am so thankful for the opportunity the Lord has given me to represent my school and pray that He would receive all praise and honor and glory,” she said on her selection as Gray’s Teacher of the Year.

Richardson is in her eleventh year of teaching and has a master’s degree in secondary education, as well as a specialist’s degree in gifted and creative learning and additional certifications in advanced placement English language and composition, gifted and ESOL. C.A. Gray Junior High Principal Frederick Smith described her in one word as “passionate.”

She and her husband, Spenser, have two daughters, Evelyn and Eliza.

Prior to the announcement of the overall winner, Richardson was one of three finalists who were named. The others were Jon Scroggins and Lindsay Martin.

Scroggins is a seventh grade math teacher at Willie J. Williams Middle School and he is in his 21st year of teaching. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and then went on to earn his teaching certificate in mathematics.

“Every day is an opportunity to have a positive impact on the people around me. When I was a student, I had several teachers who I knew loved and cared about me and encouraged me to pursue excellence,” he said about being selected for Williams’ Teacher of the Year.

Scroggins and his wife, Christina, have three children, Alyson, Kayla and Joshua.

Martin is a second grade English language arts teacher at R.B. Wright Elementary School and she is in her 11th year of teaching. She received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her master’s and specialist’s degrees in reading, literacy and assessment. She has also earned special education certifications in general curriculum, language arts, math, reading, science and social studies, as well as, a gifted certification.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to have been chosen by my R.B. Wright peers for this recognition. First and foremost, I make sure that any student entering my classroom knows that they are loved,” she said about being selected as Wright’s Teacher of the Year.

Martin and her husband, Grant, have two children, Addison and Jacob.

The nominees, finalists and the winner received cash prizes and plaques and the winner also received a gift basket from local merchants and the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce, a one-year membership to the YMCA or five personal training sessions, and an Employee of the Year ring.

The other nominees and Teachers of the Year for their respective schools include:

Josh Rutland is an ESOL and social studies teacher at Colquitt County High School that is in his ninth year of teaching and his 25th year in education at the K-12 and post-secondary levels. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science, as well as certifications in history, geography, ESOL, economics and behavioral science.

Kenneth D. Taylor is a special education teacher at Cox Elementary School and is in his eighth year of teaching with over 20 years of teaching in various professions. He received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and then earned his teaching certification. He has two children, Justin and Kennedi.

Amber Conger is a fifth grade teacher at Doerun Elementary School and this is her fourth year of teaching. She received both an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in elementary education.

Aubrey Bennett is a first grade teacher at Funston Elementary School and this is her fourth year of teaching. She received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in elementary education. She and her husband, Blake, are expecting their first child.

Kim Yarbrough teaches visual arts at the GEAR Gifted Center and this is her 16th year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine art, her master’s degree in teaching and in special education and her specialist degree in special education. She has also earned her gifted endorsement. She and her husband, Pratt Cooper, have a son, Isbon.

Traci Wells is a first grade teacher at Hamilton Elementary School and is in her 29th year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her master’s degree in education. This is her fourth time being named a Teacher of the Year. She and her husband, Greg, have two children, Lindsey Wells Long and Tristan Wells.

Wendy Stuckey is a special education teacher at Norman Park Elementary School and she is in her 20th year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her master’s degree in special education. She has also earned special education certifications in curriculum, language arts, math, reading, science and social studies. She and her husband, Waylon, have two sons, Gibson and Brooks.

Renee Bozeman is a fifth grade teacher at Odom Elementary School and this is her 27th year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She and her husband, James, have three children, James, Joseph and Tori.

Haley Hagin is a first grade teacher at Okapilco Elementary School and she is in her seventh year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her master’s and specialist’s degrees in elementary education.

Shaneshia Milton is a fifth grade teacher at Stringfellow Elementary School and this is her eighth year teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology and her master’s degree in elementary education. She has two children, Cayden and Chloe.

Jennifer McCant is a fourth grade teacher at Sunset Elementary School and she is in her 19th year of teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in reading and her specialist’s degree in curriculum. This is her second time being named a Teacher of the Year. She and her husband, Lee, have two children, Malakai and Ian.