Georgia Power names 2016 New Teacher Assistance Grant recipients

41 teachers from across the state to receive $1,000 grant to aid in first year of teaching

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Nov 18, 2016, 11:30 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today announced the selection of 41 new teachers from across the state to receive one of the company's annual $1,000 New Teacher Assistance Grants. Since launching the program in 2004, the company has awarded a total of $368,000 in individual grants to more than 340 new teachers from communities across the state. The grants are courtesy of the non-profit Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. and provide the state's newest teachers with funds to purchase classroom supplies and start their classroom careers.

Georgia Power announced the selection of 41 new teachers from across the state to receive one of the company's annual $1,000 New Teacher Assistance Grants. Pictured is Caleb McKeever, of Milledgeville receiving his New Teacher Assistance Grant check.

"Georgia's future leaders are learning the skills they need to be successful every day in our classrooms," said Anne Kaiser, vice president of community and economic development for Georgia Power. "Supporting education is supporting our state's future and is critical to ensuring that we are prepared for Georgia's vibrant economic future with a skilled workforce."

Nominations were submitted by Georgia public colleges and universities that have schools of education. To be eligible for a grant, candidates must be in the top 25 percent of their class, be a first-year teacher employed by a public school in Georgia and demonstrate a high aptitude for teaching.

Nominations are reviewed by a statewide selection committee with grants awarded beginning in November. Grant recipients include pre-K, elementary, middle and high school teachers who are encouraged to use the funds to purchase items such as books, educational CDs or DVDs, computers, projectors, or other supplies to enhance their classrooms.

2016 New Teacher Assistant Grant recipients include:

Central Region

Timothy Jones, Macon (Howard High School)
Ashleigh Knight, Warner Robbins (David A. Perdue Elementary)
Kylie Tierce, Warner Robbins (Northside High School)
Caleb McKeever, Milledgeville (Blandy Hills Elementary School)
Shancandice Thomas, Perry (Morningside Elementary)

Coastal Region

Christen Chaplin, Savannah (Beach High School)
Hazel McCauslin, Brunswick (Goodyear Elementary School)
Patrick Mickey, Brunswick (Needwood Middle School)
Grayson "Gray" Mendieta, Swainsboro (Swainsboro High School)

East Region

Casey Radford, Watkinsville (Oconee County Middle School)
Hannah Wingrove, Evans (Lakeside High School)

Metro Atlanta

Morgane Rainwater, Jonesboro (Callaway Elementary School)
Dustin Denson, McDonough (Excel Academy)
Florina Mihetiu, Lawrenceville (Kanoheda Elementary School)
Micheil Hill, Lawrenceville (Archer High School)
Kaitlyn Ballew, Stockbridge (Cotton Indian Elementary School)
Jeffrey Stephens, Norcross (Graves Elementary School)
Mara Johnson, Smyrna (Campbell High School)
Carley Roberts, Canton (Dean Rusk Middle School)
Carirosa Powell, Newnan (Madras Middle School)
Chelsea Knight, Jonesboro (Kendrick Middle School)
Jason Slaven, Stockbridge (Stockbridge High School)
Shana Alexander, Jonesboro (Lee Street Elementary)
Sarah Stream, Suwanee (Riverwatch Middle School)
Lauren Pehrson, Canton (Hasty Elementary School)
Alissa Leugers, Lawrenceville, (Jordan Middle School)

Northeast Region

Stephen Almond, Gainesville (Sardis Elementary School)
Kathleen Lovell, Flowery Branch (Flowery Branch High School)
Adam Aldridge, Hoschton (Mill Creek High School)

Northwest Region

Santiago Nava, Dalton (Dalton Middle School)
Mandy Owens, Dalton (Eastbrook Middle School)
Dustin Powell, Rome (Anna K. Davie Elementary School)

South Region

Christopher Dydell, Albany (Albany Middle School)
Jakin Tillery, Tifton (Northeast Camus Tift County High School)
Diane Schenk, Hahira (Hahira Middle School)
Kade Poole, Douglas (Eastside Elementary)
Landis Johnson, Quitman (Brooks County Middle School)
Shedric Office, Asburn (Turner County Middle School)

West Region

Joshua Knobloch, Columbus (Double Churches Middle School)
Ravhen Maddox, Columbus (Forrest Road Elementary)

Georgia Power has been a partner with the state's public education system for more than 100 years – from supporting the work of groups such as Junior Achievement, to providing new teacher assistance grants, to hosting students at the company's generation facilities, Georgia Power works to help students achieve their full potential. For more information about how the company is helping advance education and build the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow, visit www.georgiapower.com/community.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

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SOURCE Georgia Power