Salem High School English teacher Lisa Boyd, the 2010 Rockdale County Teacher of the Year, was named a finalist for the 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Boyd was selected as one of ten finalists out of a pool of 154 applicants, who were all previous recipients of Teacher of the Year awards in their respective school districts.

Each applicant was reviewed by a panel of judges that included teachers, past State Teacher of the Year award winners, administrators and community leaders.

“This is a strong group of outstanding educators who would each make a terrific 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year," said Dr. John Barge, State School Superintendent. "I know the judges had a very difficult job choosing just 10 finalists from this group of applicants."

Over the next several weeks, a panel of judges will observe and interview each of the finalists. The winner will be announced at the Georgia Teacher of the Year banquet on May 6. The winning teacher will then travel around the state and the nation, serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession, as well as move on for consideration for National Teacher of the Year.