Bartow County teacher Michael Kobito named 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year
Georgia's new Teacher of the Year is Michael Kobito from Woodland High School in Bartow County.
State Superintendent Richard Woods announced Kobito as the winner at a banquet celebrating all of the districts' Teachers of the Year on Saturday night, according to a news release issued by the state department of education.
“Michael Kobito is an outstanding educator who exemplifies both student-centered decision-making and the role of the fine arts in providing a world-class education to students," Woods said. “I'm proud to recognize him as the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year, and look forward to working with him to elevate the teaching profession and advocate for Georgia's public schools."
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Kobito is an AP music theory teacher and high school band director. After his first year teaching the AP course, he had a 100 percent test participation rate and a 100 percent pass rate on the AP exam. He oversees and manages four concert bands, a 200-member marching band, a basketball pep band, a private lessons institute, jazz band and winter guard. Under his direction, the marching band has been invited to march in the National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C., and the London New Year's Day Parade in 2023.
In his application, Kobito wrote, “Many of the students in our classes are afraid to try because they feel they aren't as smart or skilled as their peers. In my classroom, from the very start, I reinforce our classroom philosophy: every student's contribution is important, and every student can learn."
Kobito was among five state finalists, one of whom was Vicki Knox of Deer Chase Elementary School in Augusta. Knox has taught math across the globe and is well-liked by her colleagues and students. When she was named the Richmond County School District Teacher of the Year, Knox said she was "excited, and honored, and thrilled, and surprised" and was even more so when she was named a finalist for the state honor.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Michael Kobito of Bartow County named 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year
