When Katie Blum was named Gwinnett County’s Teacher of the Year in December 2020, she called the honor a “crazy, humbling experience.” Fast forward to March 2022, and this exuberant 2nd grade teacher from Sugar Hill ES has another exciting experience to process. Mrs. Blum has been named one of 10 finalists for 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year!
The 10 finalists for the prestigious state honor were chosen from a pool of applicants all previously selected as their school district’s Teacher of the Year. The applications were read by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners, state and local administrators, community leaders, and others. The finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.
“The ten finalists for Georgia’s next Teacher of the Year represent the very best of our state’s public education system,” Superintendent Richard Woods said. “They are hardworking, innovative, skilled, and—most importantly—focused first and foremost on students. I am immensely proud of each of them and honored to recognize them as finalists.”
The top ten finalists will meet with a panel of judges this month for formal interviews and speeches. The winner will be announced on April 30.
The 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession in Georgia and will be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition. Georgia Teacher of the Year operates one year ahead to align with the national program. The 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year will serve from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Congratulations, Mrs. Blum, and good luck!
Meet Katie Blum
In this GCPS TV video from the 2020-21 GCPS Teacher of the Year event, get to know Katie Blum. This award-winning teacher believes relationships are the most important part of education. She empowers her students by boosting their confidence and creating an environment where they can learn without anxiety.
When students walk into Mrs. Blum’s classroom, they enter a safe space where curiosity, wonder, critical thinking, and self-efficacy are encouraged and nurtured. She believes that creating a safe and trusting classroom environment where students feel accepted, loved, and supported ensures that students are mentally prepared for creativity, learning, and high-order thinking.
“Although many students may remember little about their 2nd grade year, my students will leave 2nd grade with strengthened abilities to question and think critically, and most importantly, to believe in themselves to succeed,” she says.
Mrs. Blum is committed to making a difference in her students' academic and personal lives and strives to be a culturally responsive educator. She says this is essential in GCPS, one of the country's largest and most diverse school districts. She explains, “Teachers must build much-needed relationships and trust, meet students where they are, create learning partnerships, and intentionally teach through the specific pedagogy in order to develop students from dependent learners to independent learners who are ready for rigorous learning environments.”