Goodwin Named 2024-2025 Debra Brantley Award Winner

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Toombs County High School Special Education Teacher Katie Goodwin was honored with the Debra Brantley Special Education Teacher of the Year award during the January 9 meeting of the Toombs County Board of Education.

The Debra Brantley Award, named for a beloved former Toombs County Special Education teacher, is an annual recognition given to the Special Education Teacher of the Year. Recipients of this prestigious award exemplify the qualities that define a successful Special Education instructor and advocate for students with disabilities in the same way that Brantley did during her Special Education career.

“Mrs. Goodwin demonstrates each of the special qualities that the Debra Brantley Special Educator award represents,” Toombs County Schools Special Education Director Sabrina Woodruff remarked. “She not only instructs her students – she loves each of them. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and nurturing educator on our team. She is so deserving of this honor.”

Toombs County High School Principal Marissa Morris also spoke on Goodwin’s excellence in the classroom. “Mrs. Goodwin exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated and compassionate educator,” Morris emphasized. “She has a genuine heart for her students, guiding them not only in academics but also in social and life skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Her creativity shines through as she incorporates various projects into her classroom daily and even cooks with her students, providing them with hands-on, practical experiences that enhance their learning. Her unwavering commitment to her job and to her students, preparedness, and heart of gold make her a model for others to emulate. This recognition is well-deserved, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Goodwin as part of our Toombs County High School family.”

Goodwin reacted to the recognition, sharing her gratitude to all the educators that had served as her mentors. “I am honored and humbled to receive the Debra Brantley Special Education Teacher of the Year Award. I would not be the teacher I am today without the countless mentors that have helped me learn and grow over the last three and a half years. I am so thankful for them pouring into me and helping me understand my students and their needs. I love my students and am thankful to be their teacher,” she shared.