Here's to Teachers
Presented By
Teacher Appreciation
Georgia Southern and Synovus Bank have a long-standing history of supporting education, starting from the early days of the Georgia Teachers College which eventually flourished into Georgia Southern University. This year, Eagles Athletics and Synovus Bank have decided to partner together to celebrate educators in our community and the impact of Georgia Southern’s College of Education in creating the teachers of tomorrow.
Last year, Synovus Bank held an essay contest to honor teachers from local schools that have made a significant impact on a student’s life. The response was overwhelming. With over 500 entries, the words of the students proved what we already know: teachers truly do make a lasting impact and develop strong leaders of the future. Here are just a few of the examples from last year:
She never gave up on me. She believed I could accomplish even my wildest dream as long as I tried my best and worked hard.
He is there to help me when I need help or when I don’t understand. I love him just like he is a part of the family. He inspired me to think about things that I wouldn’t give a second chance and I thank him for that. He is the absolute best educator and role model.
She always brings out the best in you, even when things seem most difficult. She will go out of her way for us! She constantly strives to make our lessons valuable for us. She really connects with her students and their world!
This year, Georgia Southern Athletics and Synovus Bank want to continue honoring local teachers in a season-long campaign called Here’s to Teachers, which includes the Teacher Appreciation contest. Students are encouraged to tell us about a teacher, past or present, who has made a difference in their life and why. Based on the responses, we will select a Teacher of the Game for each Georgia Southern home football game. Each winning entry has the chance to be featured on Paulson Stadium’s video board and on Georgia Southern’s social media platforms!
Help us celebrate our teachers all season long with Georgia Southern Athletics, the College of Education and Synovus Bank!
History of Georgia Teacher's College
When First District Agricultural & Mechanical School’s inaugural academic year began in 1908, few could have foreseen a major American university growing out of four faculty members and 15 students in just a little more than one lifetime.
Now in its second century of service, Georgia Southern boasts 20,000-plus students, 2,000 faculty and staff, and more than 100 programs of study at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
Founded as a school for teaching modern agricultural production techniques and homemaking skills to rural schoolchildren, then-First District A&M School began within two decades to shift its emphasis to meet the growing need for teachers within the state. Its name and mission were changed in 1924 to Georgia Normal School as a training ground for educators, though it continued to accept “preparatory” or high school students. Five years later in 1929, full-fledged senior college status was granted as South Georgia Teachers College.
Ensuing decades saw additional name and mission changes: to Georgia Teachers College in 1939 and Georgia Southern College in 1959. Continued program and physical expansion, including one seven-year stretch, 1984-91 in which enrollment doubled from just over 6,000 to more than 12,000 students, led to a final transformation in 1990 – to Georgia Southern University.
Since then, the University has embarked on a massive upgrade of facilities, adding more than $250 million in new construction. At the same time, it has repurposed older buildings, primarily residence halls, to serve teaching and administrative needs.
Hall of Fame
Roy Alewine
Baseball
Randell Boone
Football
Regina Days-Bryan
Women's Basketball
Francis Florian
Men's Basketball
Debbie Hensley
Women's Soccer
Greg Hill
Football
Hollis Powell
Baseball
Norris Strickland
Baseball, MBB
Whitey Verstaete
Men's Basketball
Richard Wallace
Men's Basketball
Chester Williams
MBB, FB, Track, Boxing
Bill Winn
MBB, FB, Track
Teacher of the Game
Ms. Talmeshia Parker
Statesboro High SchooolHonored at November 4th Football game
"She builds real relationships with every child that she meets and shapes our lives in order to ensure that we are the best we can be when we grow up and go out into the world. Once a week in class, she would always take the time to do something called “Problems With Parker.” With this, we were able to tell her and the class about our problems and she would give us advice ”
Vanessa North
Bulloch AcademyHonored at October 14th Football game
"When I thought I couldn’t do it, she pushed me on. When I was sad, she cheered me up. She is the syrup, and I’m the pancakes.”
“When I was a freshman, I would walk into school some days tired and pessimistic about the day. I would often go to her classroom in the mornings just to talk. She would always be welcoming and kinds, by asking me how my weekend was or just having conversations about different interests of mine or hers."
Jay McNeely
Nevils ElementaryHonored at October 4th Football game
"Mr. Jay McNeely is the most inspiring teacher ever. He never quits on his students.”
“He is so inspiring you could think you could jump of your roof and fly, but please don’t it hurts… a lot.”
Simone Lane
William James Middle SchoolHonored at September 9th Football game vs New Hamphire
"Not only was she a teacher to me she was a mother figure at my lowest point of my life when I wanted to give up”
“Anytime I had a problem she did anything in her power to fix it. She definitely deserves to be recognized for her amazing mentoring and motherly acts”
