Midday Interview: 2025 MCSD Teacher of the Year, Amanda Zarate
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF) has named Wynnton Arts Academy teacher Amanda Zarate the 2025 MCSD Teacher of the Year.
Zarate, a former Army tank track mechanic, was chosen from 54 Teacher of the Year Honorees representing each school in the Muscogee County School District.
Zarate's path to teaching has been anything but conventional—but that journey has shaped her teaching approach today. When Zarate transitioned into education, she leaned on the core values that had defined her military service: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.
'Amanda's connection with her students is truly something special,' said Josh Reynolds, Selection Committee Chair. 'She brings a unique energy and empathy into her classroom that allows students to feel seen, heard, and inspired. Amanda meets each student where they are—with compassion, creativity, and confidence. It's clear she's built a space where students feel safe to express themselves and are empowered to grow. That's what stood out to the committee.'
Check out her interview with WRBL's Crystal Whitman in the video player above.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Reitz High School teacher awarded by American Association of Chemistry Teachers
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- A Reitz High School educator is named 'Teacher of the Year' by the American Association of Chemistry Teachers. Job Corp Centers react to ruling blocking closures Nora Walsh was recognized by the organization for her contributions to chemistry education. The American Association of Chemistry Teachers says Walsh stood out, as she is motivated by collaboration, and is in active teacher learning networks on social media. Walsh serves as an associate editor for Chemical Education Xchange, an interactive website for chemistry teachers, and is a two-time Indiana finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Paola's Parenting Playbook presents Fentanyl, A Guide for Parents, preview
(WBRE/WYOU) — According to the CDC, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the U.S. 28/22 News is taking a deep dive into this epidemic as it remains a threat facing families right here in northeastern Pennsylvania. The special program airs Friday night. Since the opioid epidemic was declared a public health emergency in 2017, it has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Initially driven by prescription opioids and heroin, the epidemic has shifted in recent years to illicit fentanyl. A substance 100 times more potent than morphine. 28/22 News is helping to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl with a special in-depth program. Paola's Parenting Playbook presents Fentanyl, A Guide for Parents, and it airs Friday night on 28/22 news. Struggling with substance use disorder can derail someone's future. Madison Hayes and Amanda O'Day know that all too well. In a special Paola's Parenting Playbook, Fentanyl, A Guide for Parents, the women open up about their drug addiction. How it started, the darkest moments, and what recovery looks like today. 'I was rapidly deteriorating, everything was going downhill. I didn't notice until I tried to take my own life,' said Hayes. Amanda's story echoes similar pain. Students getting hands on automotive learning 'I would never stick it out. I would always end up relapsing, I would find anything available, and that's what led to heroin, the pills got less and less,' said O'Day. Madison and Amanda credit their recovery to a combination of personal resilience, support from family, and access to a unique program at Luzerne County Community College. Both women are now in long-term recovery. 'He was thriving, he was out one night with friends using substances he should not have,' said Maria Pascale, Clarks Summit. You'll also meet a couple from Clarks Summit who lost their son to fentanyl poisoning. The couple has made it their mission to prevent other families from suffering the same tragedy. 'We think he was using cocaine that was laced with fentanyl, and late that night, he went to sleep and never woke up. His roommate found him that morning,' explained Pascale. Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters sees the impact of the fentanyl crisis up close. In a sit-down interview, he addresses the growing threat. 'Our society is being poisoned from the inside with fentanyl,' said Peters. 'Joe, you have been a drug czar, a police chief, a prosecutor, you have served in two presidential administrations. How is fentanyl getting into these street drugs?' asked 28/22 News reporter Paola Giangiacomo. 'It is being flooded into our border, now it is in everything. No one is immune, no one is safe. The most important thing a parent can do is be a parent,' said Peters. Ryan Hogan, a drug and alcohol administrator, says fentanyl remains a growing danger across Pennsylvania. His message is clear: education, access to care, and community support are the strongest tools in the fight against fentanyl. 'I would encourage any parent out there, educate as soon as possible,' said Hogan. The program also sheds light on reducing overdose deaths and expanding access to life-saving resources. Plus tips for parents on how to talk to their kids about the dangers of drug abuse. Paola's Parenting Playbook, Fentanyl, A Guide for Parents, airs Friday night. We hope you'll tune in to WBRE Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on WYOU. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Two D51 teachers named semifinalists for Colorado Teacher of the Year
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — On Thursday, the Colorado Department of Education announced the 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Out of the 22 educators named as semifinalists, two are educators from District 51: Liz Fitzgerald from Mesa View Elementary School and Stephanie LaCount from Grand Junction High School. Fitzgerald is a first-grade teacher at Mesa View Elementary School in Grand Junction. She has been an educator for 17 years, and her honors include FIRST Inspire the Future Honoree and Outstanding Coach Award from the National FIRST Lego League. According to her semifinalist bio, she 'wants to create a safe place for students like her teachers did for her.' LaCount is an English Language Arts teacher at Grand Junction High School and has been an educator for 19 years. She has won awards such as the City of Fruita Teacher Appreciation award in 2020 and the KREX Golden Apple Award in 2018. According to her semifinalist bio, 'one of her goals as a teacher is to give students the power of self-acceptance.' Fitzgerald and LaCount were chosen from a pool of 419 applicants representing 106 school districts statewide. The pool of applicants had increased by 375% compared to the prior year. The Colorado Teacher of the Year program honors K-12 educators who have made an impact on their students, schools and communities. The selection process mirrors the standards of the national Teacher of the Year program. The semifinalist selection consisted of a review committee of over 40 people, including Colorado Teacher of the Year winners, Colorado Department of Education staff, representatives from the Boettcher Foundation and the lead sponsor of the Colorado Teacher of the Year program. 'We're proud to see educators from District 51 recognized among this year's semifinalists,' saidDr. Brian Hill, Superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51. 'We appreciate the workall of our teachers do each and every day to support our students, and we're cheering on and Ms. LeCount as they move forward in the process!' The semifinalists will move on to the next stage of the selection process, which includes additional essay questions from the teachers, and the finalists will be announced in September. The 2026 Colorado Teacher of the Year will be named in October. 'These semifinalists reflect the dedication, passion, and innovation that great teaching requires,' said Boettcher Foundation Vice President of Grants and Programs Tiffany Anderson. 'We're honored to serve as lead sponsor for a program that shines a spotlight on educators who are shaping Colorado's future, and we look forward to celebrating all they've accomplished.' The educator chosen as Colorado's Teacher of the Year represents over 55,000 educators across the state, will receive national recognition in Washington, D.C. and will earn a $5,000 award from the Boettcher Foundation. Individuals can learn more about the program and the other semifinalists on the Colorado Department of Education's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
