Brunswick, GA – Tyler Mimbs ’14 (B.S., Early Childhood/Special Education) and Rebekah “Ambie” Watson ’14 (B.S., Middle Grades Education) are the recipients of $1,000 grants from Georgia Power for classroom supplies during their first year of teaching. Mimbs teaches 5th grade social studies at East Laurens Elementary School in East Dublin, Georgia, and is living in Sandersville. Watson is living in Jesup and teaching 7th graders math in that community at Arthur Williams Middle School.
Both were nominated for the grants by the faculty of the College of Coastal Georgia School of Education and Teacher Preparation.
According to Dr. Michael Hazelkorn, Dean of the School of Education and Teacher Preparation, this is the eleventh year that Georgia Power has awarded the incentive grants in support of the state’s teachers. Academically, nominees must be in the top 25% of their class, employed in a public school, and demonstrate enthusiasm and superior aptitude for teaching, Dr. Hazelkorn noted.
Mimbs, who delivered the charge to the Class of 2014 during Commencement this spring, shared his excitement at being selected with Dr. Claire E. Hughes, Associate Professor of Education. In her letter of recommendation for Mimbs, Dr. Hughes wrote, “In my 20 years as a professor, Tyler is one of the strongest students I have ever encountered. Tyler is the epitome of what we look for in our pre-service teachers – he is interested in learning, a leader among his peers, and most importantly, passionate about children… He is particularly passionate about students with learning differences, and works very hard to ensure that all children have access to opportunities and experiences.”
In her letter of recommendation for Watson, Dr. Sarah A. Hartman, Assistant Professor of Education, cited Watson’s friendly and helpful personality, strong character, depth of scholarship, giving attitude and spirit, and professional promise. “Ambie was a nontraditional student who had a baby while enrolled in the teacher education program, carried a full load of coursework and teaching in the field each semester, was an active and integral part of the CCGA campus while serving as Vice-President of the Association for Coastal Educators, and assisting other students voluntarily and willingly with transportation and anything else as needed…Her feedback from her mentor teachers is consistent across varied school settings – dynamic, compassionate, and professional.”
College of Coastal Georgia
John Cornell
O: 912.279.5703
C: 912.223.9997
jcornell@ccga.edu