Timothy D. Gardner, a second grade teacher at Appling County Primary School, has been selected as one of only 112 Georgia Master Teachers for 2009. Governor Sonny Perdue, on Friday, announced the names of new teachers who have earned the “Master Teacher” certification, a designation based on appreciable gains in student achievement.

“There are now 466 Master Teachers in Georgia who have demonstrated their expertise in helping our children achieve at higher levels,” said Governor Perdue. “They are masters at inspiring students to learn, and I am proud to recognize their tireless efforts and collective success in improving student achievement.” The Georgia Master Teachers Program is sponsored by Governor Perdue, The Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and the Georgia Department of Education. There are over 125,000 public school teachers in Georgia.

Every year, Georgia recognizes its best teachers. These professionals receive a Master Teacher designation on their certificates, identifying them as educators who have positively influenced student achievement in the classroom. Educators built and tested the Georgia Master Teachers program, and they continue to refine it, making sure that unlike a lot of teacher-recognition programs, it’s not a popularity contest, and it’s not based on seat time in the classroom. You are certified as a Georgia Master Teacher based on the clear criterion of your students’ achievement.

Georgia Master Teachers gather annually to share knowledge, skills and best practices. The meeting and seminar takes place at the Sea Palms resort on beautiful St. Simons Island. The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation in 2005 authorizing the Professional Standards Commission to establish the Georgia Master Teacher Certification Program. The purpose of the legislation is to provide the statewide recognition to Georgia public school teachers who consistently demonstrate excellence this is defined as gains in student achievement. To earn the Georgia Master Teacher certificate, you must have at least three years of experience in the classroom on a Georgia Clear Renewable Certificate, and evidence that links classroom instruction to your students’ achievement and progress.

Gardner has business and education degrees from Brewton-Parker College. After earning a degree in early childhood education, he proceeded to attain his master’s degree from Valdosta State University and became certified in educational leadership.

He is currently pursuing higher degrees in the educational field. Gardner began his career as a third grade teacher for several years at Appling County Elementary School. Additionally, he taught agriculture and aquaculture on the high school level, and will begin his fourth year of teaching second graders next year.

Mr. Gardner’s wife, Melanie is a pre-k teacher at Appling County Primary School. Their family includes daughter and son-in-law, Meagin and Chris; son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Katie; and grandson, Hollis. Tim is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Gardner.

“I am proud to be a part of the wonderful educational system we have here in Appling County. My family and I have fond memories of the wonderful teachers who taught us over the years. Our system may be relatively small, but we have been recognized around Georgia - and even on a national level - for increasing student achievement,” Gardner said. “In the past few years alone, Appling County Primary School has been named a Georgia School of Excellence and a National Blue Ribbon School. All of our schools have earned state honors for having outstanding student achievement. These accolades are a result of having talented and dedicated educators here in our community. I would be remissive not to mention the hard work, pride and dedication of our local students, also. Equally, we have wonderful parental support from parents in Appling County.”

Gardner thanked his hard-working students from the past few years. “This year, my 19 students read over 4 million words in the accelerated reader (A.R.) program alone. One student earned 317 A.R. points, and many students earned between 100 and 300 points. These students worked hard in each classroom subject, as they scored well in all areas of the year’s CRCT, too. This is not a one-year effort. I understand these students earned a vast amount of knowledge from the teachers who taught them in the grades before me, and they will be well served in their future grades, also.”