The Newton County School System (NCSS) announced its teachers of the year for each of its schools Tuesday.

Each teacher was selected by their peer as the teacher of the year at the end of the 2015-16 school year, and are now eligible for the county-wide NCSS 2017 Teacher of the Year honor.

Each nominee worked on the district Teacher of the Year essay packet throughout the summer. The packet required each teacher to answer a number of questions concerning their educational background, philosophy, and style of teaching. On Tuesday, Sept. 20, and Wednesday, Sept 21, each teacher will participate in a 20-minute interview to be conducted by a panel of volunteer judges representing Newton County Schools, the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses and civic organizations.

Once scores from the essays and interviews are tallied, three finalists will be selected (the teachers with the three highest combined scores). On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the Teacher of the Year selection committee will observe each of the three finalists teaching in his or her classroom. The teacher with the highest combined score on the essay, interview, and observation will be announced as the Newton County School System’s 2017 Teacher of the Year during a special ceremony at Newton High School on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 4:45 p.m.

All 23 teachers of the year will be recognized at the reception at Newton High School, with the two runners-up each receiving a crystal vase award. The 2017 Newton County Teacher of the Year will receive a crystal vase, a free, three-month car rental from Covington Ford, and a check for $1,000. In addition, this year’s winner will also represent Newton County School System in the Georgia Teacher of the Year program.