Congratulations Sue Tougas, GEMS Teacher of the Year!

“Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because their professional efforts affect the fate of the earth.” Helen Caldicott, author and peace activist

The 36^th Annual Vermont Outstanding Teachers Recognition Day was held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at the Grand Maple Ballroom in the Davis Center at the University of Vermont. This ceremony seeks to thank outstanding teachers and publicly honor them for educating the next generation each day, helping children to become smarter, more creative, and more humane. The day recognizes the long hours, the patience, the perseverance, and passion defining the important work of an educator. We honor them for their commitment, their successes as well as their trials, and the powerful impact they have on the children of Vermont and our future.

Recognized at this ceremony was GEMS Teacher of the Year, Sue Tougas. A leader among her colleagues, Sue has taught at the Georgia Elementary School for the past 24 years engaging kindergartners in becoming readers, writers, scientists, mathematicians, and historians. As a true advocate for children, Sue’s approach takes into consideration the whole child socially, emotionally, and academically. Sue is a valued educator within our community across all facets of her work and she is a proven GEM!