Clements Middle School Teacher Named 2021 Griffin RESA Regional TAPP Teacher of the Year
Clements Middle School teacher, Ms. Tomeka Daugherty, has been named the Griffin Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) 2021 Regional TAPP Teacher of the Year! Daugherty teaches eighth-grade mathematics at the school.
“Being named TAPP Teacher of the Year is beyond amazing,” said Daugherty. “It’s indescribable, but at the same time I am so overjoyed and thankful. To be recognized for your hard work and efforts really speaks volumes. For me it provides a level of validation of knowing that my decision to leave State Farm Insurance, what I was so familiar doing day in and day out to embark on a new path of uncertainties of becoming a teacher. In the midst of a pandemic and everyday challenges, I am just proud to show my children that it is possible. I am grateful for being chosen as TAPP Teacher of the Year, representing NCSS and most of all Clements Middle School.”
According to Dr. Stephanie Gordy, Griffin RESA Executive Director, the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP) is a classroom-based teacher preparation option for individuals who have the basic qualifications to teach elementary, middle-grades, secondary, or Pre-K through 12 education but have not completed a teacher preparation program. The program is not intended to replace regular college teacher education programs. It is, instead, an alternative option for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher but did not complete teacher education requirements as part of their degree programs. Georgia TAPP equips teacher candidates with the skills to ensure a reasonable expectation of initial success in their classrooms and puts in place a supervised induction program that will help them move toward subsequent mastery of teaching.
Daugherty worked at State Farm Insurance for 19 years, working her way up the ladder from claim service assistant to claim team leader but she knew in hear heart it was time to make a career change.
“In high school, I was involved with a club called Future Educators of America, so being a teacher has always been in me,” she explained. “However, life happened and took me in a different direction. But one thing will always remain the same—when you have goals, dreams, determination, and support, you do not stop reaching for them until they become obtainable. Then you start the process all over. So, why did I decide to make the career switch? It was time. Time to no longer just talk about it but do it, by making my goal and dream of being a teacher a reality.”
Daugherty began working for Newton County Schools in 2018 and entered the TAPP program in 2019. She completed all requirements of the program this month.
“Mrs. Daugherty is an outstanding educator,” said Fred Richard, Principal of Clements Middle School. “She is an individual who has come out of the corporate sector and made a difference in the lives of children—not many can do that. Mrs. Daugherty has worked extremely hard in the TAPP program as she continuously seeks perfection. She always goes over and beyond the call of duty to ensure that her students receive the best instruction and that her parents are always informed. I am so glad that she is on our team!”
“The TAPP program is a great opportunity for those who graduated from college with degrees in high needs fields such as Math, Science, and Technology, to pursue teaching to share their wisdom and love of learning with students,” said Dr. Gordy. “With close to 200 TAPP Teachers in the South Metro Region, congratulations to the Ms. Daugherty for being selected the Regional TAPP Teacher of the Year. This award goes to those who are the best among the best.”
“Congratulations to Ms. Daugherty for being named the regional TAPP Teacher of the Year,” said Samantha Fuhrey, Superintendent of Newton County School System. “We’re so thankful she made the career switch to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and we’re grateful she chose to be a part of the Clements Middle School and Newton County School System family. She’s definitely made us proud.”